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 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 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.

Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs snapped the Oklahoma City Thunder's record 16-game win streak with a 111-109 win in the NBA Cup semifinals.