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Emirates NBA Cup 2025

Knicks, Magic advance in Emirates NBA Cup East quarterfinals action

Follow along with live updates on Heat-Magic and Knicks-Raptors, as we bring you the best moments and highlights.

Ben Lambert, for NBA.com

Desmond Bane and the Orlando Magic defeated the Miami Heat in the first half of our Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals on Prime.

Enjoy the best of Tuesday’s Emirates NBA Cup East quarterfinal action with the NBA.com live blog, featuring all of the meaningful moments, performances, observations, news, notes and highlights.

What we know after Tuesday night’s games:

  • The Magic defeated the Heat 117-108 in the first half of our Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals doubleheader behind 37 points from Desmond Bane.
  • The Knicks beat the Raptors 117-101 in the second half, led by Jalen Brunson’s 35 points.
  • We’ll have Suns-Thunder (7:30 ET) and Spurs-Lakers (10 ET) on Prime tomorrow, as the quarterfinals of the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 roll on.

11:20 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Knicks headed to Las Vegas

It’ll be Knicks-Magic in one half of the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals in Las Vegas, as New York defeated Toronto 117-101.

Jalen Brunson (35 pts) and Josh Hart (21 pts) led six Knicks in double figures.

“We got off to a hot start and the ball was going in for me,” said Brunson.

Hart, an NCAA Champion at Villanova, offered advice on how to approach knockout basketball in the postgame interview.

“It’s about not looking too far ahead,” said Hart. “You can’t look past anybody… We’ve got to make sure we take care of what’s ahead of us.”

10:58 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

The Knicks are leading

104-89 with 6:05 to go in the fourth. Jalen Brunson’s up to 35 points, while Josh Hart has 21 on 8-of-9 shooting.

But this Toronto fan may be the star of the night.

10:32 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Knicks staying steady

87-71 New York with 2:20 to go in the third quarter. Both teams are playing even — Josh Hart’s been a heavy weight on the Knicks’ side of things.

9:52 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Knicks open up a lead at the half

69-52 New York on the road. Jalen Brunson has 26 points on 10-of-12 shooting for the Knicks, while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby have 10 each.

Brandon Ingram is leading the way for the Raptors with 19 points.

9:17 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Stars dueling as Raptors lead after one

Jalen Brunson (20 pts) and Brandon Ingram (17 pts) are going at it on Prime, as the Knicks and Raptors vie for the chance to face the Magic in the semifinals of the Emirates NBA Cup.

39-35 Toronto after one.

8:56 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Knicks-Raptors underway on Prime

8:39 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Orlando’s on to the semifinals

The Magic advance in the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 Knockout Rounds 117-108 behind 37 points from Desmond Bane.

Bane only had two points in the first quarter, but went off in the remaining three to lift Orlando.

He said it was important for the young team to get reps in pressure situations like the NBA Cup, shouting out Jonathan Isaac for helping the team focus.

“Winning time, winning time,” said Bane. “That’s all I care about — winning.”

8:26 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Magic up nine with 4:20 to go

It’s 107-98 in the Kia Center. Desmond Bane’s up to 35 points, including this nice combination.

8:06 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Orlando up six heading into the fourth

89-83 Magic, with a berth in the Emirates NBA Cup semifinals on the line. Catch the finish on Prime!

Three-point shooting has been the difference so far. Orlando’s 12-of-26 (46.2 percent) from deep, while Miami’s 7-of-25 (28.0 percent).

7:47 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Magic up midway through the third

77-71 Orlando with 5:26 to go in the third. The Magic have found their rhythm — but Norm Powell found a touch of magic of his own on this floater.

7:22 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Heat lead 57-56 at the half

Tyler Herro and Norman Powell have 12 apiece for the Heat, while Desmond Bane has 12 for Orlando. Paolo Banchero’s added 10, as well as two rebounds and three assists.

After the Heat opened up an early advantage in points in the paint, the Magic actually lead in the category at the half, 30-28. Orlando has nine turnovers to five for Miami.

Also, in case you’d like to know more about tonight’s play-by-play announcer, the voice of the Charlotte Hornets, Eric Collins. Good golly Miss Molly!

7:01 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Magic cut lead to 39-37

Desmond Bane’s put up seven points in the second quarter, helping Orlando find their way back into the contest. The Kia Center is rocking on Prime!

6:45 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Heat up 30-17 after one

Miami has 16 points in the paint, as they relentlessly attack the lane, and nine fast break points.

Tyler Herro (9 pts) leads the Heat in scoring so far.

6:35 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Heat keep running

Miami’s leading the league in fast break points — Davion Mitchell and Jaime Jaquez Jr. show an excellent example here.

28-15 Heat with 1:42 to go in the first quarter on Prime.

6:15 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Heat race out to a 13-0 lead

It’s been all Miami so far on Prime, as Andrew Wiggins (5 pts) and the Heat have enjoyed a hot start.

6:00 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Get hyped for the Emirates NBA Cup 2025 quarterfinals

Who will stay alive in their pursuit of the Cup? Find out tonight on Prime.

Heat legend Dwyane Wade has thoughts.

 

5:45 PM / DECEMBER 9, 2025

Welcome to the Knockout Rounds of the Emirates NBA Cup!

Karl-Anthony Towns and the New York Knicks take on the Toronto Raptors at 8:30 ET in the second half of our Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals doubleheader on Prime Video.

We’ve got win-or-go-home basketball tonight, as the Emirates NBA Cup quarterfinals open with Heat-Magic (6 ET) and Knicks-Raptors (8:30 ET) on Prime Video.

The Heat and Magic, Southwest Division foes, have already played a pair of thrillers so far this season, with Orlando taking both, including a 106-105 Magic win last Friday.

Since then, though, star forward Franz Wagner (22.7 ppg, 6.1 reb) went down with a high ankle sprain, forcing him to miss tonight’s contest.

As Paolo Banchero (20.4 ppg, 7.9 reb) also works his way back into shape after returning from a groin strain, the Magic will rely on a varied offense, led by Desmond Bane (21.8 ppg over his last five games), Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black, and a strong defense (111.8 defensive rating, 5th in the NBA).

“We talked about our depth and our defense being our strong suit,” said Coach Jamal Mosley. “So, our guys are going to have to step up to the plate.”

The Heat have been racing so far this season, playing at the league’s highest pace (105.4) while posting the third-most points per game (122.8), third-most fast break points (18.4) and the most points on drives (33.7).

Norman Powell (24.8 ppg, 50.5 FG%) has been a stalwart scorer for them all season, while Tyler Herro (23.8 ppg, 52.4 FG%) has returned to add slashing and shooting, complimenting the front court duo of Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware.

The Knicks have won seven of their last eight, as well as the last nine over Toronto, entering tonight’s contest.

Since the Raptors sent OG Anunoby to New York on Dec. 30, 2023 for RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley, the Knicks are 100-56, while Toronto is 58-100.

Barrett’s out tonight, but Quickley and Anunoby will be in action, as these two Eastern Division foes lock up for the chance to win the Emirates NBA Cup 2025.

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