No, the NBA Cup is not the same as the playoffs. But it provides the Knicks with an opportunity to gain more experience in playoff-like atmospheres.

The Magic leaned on an 11-man rotation in hopes of running the Knicks into the ground, a tactic that has worked against New York in the past. In theory, it should have worked again — especially with the Knicks missing two perimeter pieces in Miles McBride (ankle) and Landry Shamet (shoulder). Instead, the Knicks flipped the script.

The Spurs gave the Thunder their second loss of the season, after a strong 24-1 start. On Wembanyama’s return, he had 22 points, nine rebounds and two blocks off the bench. San Antonio will stay in Las Vegas, Nevada, to face the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup Finals on Tuesday.

The finale of the NBA's in-season tournament is set, with two high-profile squads meeting in the NBA Cup championship.