The NBA Cup is heating up, and the stakes are higher than ever! But here's where it gets controversial: Can the Suns and Spurs maintain their momentum without their star players? Let's dive into the thrilling tuneup games that set the stage for the quarter-finals.
The Phoenix Suns, despite missing their top scorer Devin Booker due to a groin injury, managed to edge out the Timberwolves, ending their five-game winning streak. Mark Williams stepped up big time, scoring 22 points and leading six Suns players in double figures. And this is the part most people miss: Collin Gillespie and Dillon Brooks, despite battling a sore Achilles, combined for 37 points, proving the Suns' depth is their secret weapon. The game wasn't without drama—Anthony Edwards' late inside shot brought Minnesota within one, but Gillespie's clutch free throws and Jaden McDaniels' missed three-pointer sealed the deal for Phoenix, improving their record to 14-10.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs, still without the highly anticipated Victor Wembanyama due to a lingering calf strain, relied on Harrison Barnes (24 points) and reserve Dylan Harper (22 points) to outlast the Pelicans. Here’s the kicker: Harper's layup with 9.1 seconds left gave the Spurs a one-point lead, but it was De'Aaron Fox's free throws after a Derik Queen miss that secured the win. Queen's triple-double (33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) wasn't enough to prevent the Pelicans from falling to 3-22, their seventh straight loss. Bold question: Is New Orleans' season already a lost cause, or can they turn it around?
Looking ahead, the Suns (14-10) and Spurs (16-7) now face tougher challenges in the NBA Cup quarter-finals. Phoenix heads to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder, who boast an NBA-best 23-1 record and a 15-game winning streak. San Antonio travels to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. Controversial take: Without Wembanyama, can the Spurs truly compete with the league's elite? Let us know what you think in the comments!
The quarter-finals kick off on Tuesday with Miami at Orlando and New York at Toronto, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying tournament. In other action, the Indiana Pacers snapped their losing streak with a 116-105 win over the Sacramento Kings. Andrew Nembhard led the way with 28 points and 12 assists, while Russell Westbrook's triple-double (24 points, 14 assists, 13 rebounds) wasn't enough for the Kings. Final thought: As the NBA Cup unfolds, which underdog will rise to the occasion? Share your predictions below!
