The NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas pits two equally intense teams against each other, in an atmosphere reminiscent of the playoffs, much earlier than expected in the NBA calendar. The New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs approach this game with the feeling that it's more than just a regular season match. The players are aware of the sporting, physical, and mental stakes involved in this Las Vegas game in the middle of the season.

For OG Anunoby, the British Knicks forward of Nigerian descent, this final is first and foremost a test. Returning to the court after an injury, he sees this game as an opportunity to gauge the true level of both teams. According to him, the intensity is approaching that of the playoffs and could set the tone for the rest of the season. This intensity also demands rigorous physical management, given the long and demanding NBA schedule. Anunoby emphasizes the fundamentals: recovery, sleep, nutrition, treatment, and gym work, in order to maintain endurance.

His teammate Josh Hart shares this particular feeling surrounding the NBA Cup: he describes a different atmosphere, not exactly like the playoffs, but intense enough to give more importance to the early-season games. This heightened intensity, however, has a real physical impact. Hart mentions bodies already under strain, requiring a lot of care, ice, and recovery baths, with the goal of lasting until the All-Star break.

New York center and forward Mitchell Robinson also emphasized the unique nature of the event. For him, the NBA Cup, still relatively new to the league, takes on a special significance in Las Vegas. Being present in this neutral setting, competing for a trophy in the middle of the season, reinforces the feeling of experiencing something exceptional.

For San Antonio, this Finals appearance confirms the rise of a young but ambitious group. At just 21 years old, Stephon Castle believes these games add an extra layer of pressure right from the start of the season. He points out that this isn't a typical regular season game and that it creates something more to fight for. Victor Wembanyama's impact remains central to the team. Castle describes him as a unique player in the league, whose presence immediately changes the team's dynamic and whose absence is difficult to compensate for.

Devin Vassell emphasizes the team's continuity and focus. According to him, the Spurs have remained focused since the start of the season, even though the intensity increases as the Finals approach. He describes Wembanyama as an exemplary teammate, always ready to encourage, give positive feedback, and capable, on the court, of making plays that no one else can. His return is seen as a key factor.

Veteran Harrison Barnes offers a broader perspective on the NBA Cup. He recalls that this tournament was a collective goal set even before the season began. After watching previous editions, the Spurs wanted to know if they could go all the way. Being in the Finals now represents something special for the team. As the veteran leader of the group, Barnes emphasizes the importance of sharing his experience while allowing each player the freedom to develop at their own pace.

In Las Vegas, this final between the Knicks and Spurs illustrates the evolution of the NBA Cup, now in its third consecutive year. Season after season, the tournament is establishing itself as a unique event on the NBA calendar. More than just a regular season event, it now brings an intensity, pressure, and preparation akin to the playoffs, sending a clear message to the entire league: the competition begins well before spring.