Updated Dec. 9, 2025, 9:56 p.m. ET
The Toronto Raptors have been one of the surprise teams in the NBA this year.
After winning just 25 games a season ago, the Raptors have stormed out to a 15-10 record in 2025. They’ve also dominated their NBA Cup matches, going 4-0 in those games with a +55 point differential, the third-best mark in the league.
However, their NBA Cup dreams could come to a screeching halt as they prepare to host the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Dec. 9.
At 16-7, the Knicks have the best overall record of any Eastern Conference team in the NBA Cup tournament. Furthermore, the team recently got OG Anunoby back after the forward suffered a hamstring injury in mid-November. Anunoby will now face his former team, and he has never lost, boasting a 4-0 record against Toronto since joining the Knicks.
Here’s how to watch Tuesday’s NBA Cup quarterfinal matchup between the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks:
End Q2: Knicks 69, Raptors 52
There were seven ties and nine lead changes in the first half, but the Knicks opened a monster lead in the second quarter.
Toronto started the period shooting just 1-of-9 from the floor, but the operation could not stabilize even after Brandon Ingram returned to the floor after catching a breather. The Raptors scored just 13 points in the quarter and finished just 5-of-21 (23.8%) from the field in the second.
The Knicks outscored Toronto 34-13 in the period.
After his 17-point first quarter, Ingram added just 2 points in the second, though he started the period on the bench.
The Knicks now have three players — Jalen Brunson (26), Karl-Anthony Towns (10) and OG Anunoby (10) — who have reached double figures in scoring.
End Q1: Raptors 39, Knicks 35
It was a quarter of runs, but the Raptors ended the first quarter of their NBA Cup East Quarterfinal game against the Knicks with a four-point edge.
From 5-0 (New York) to start the game, to a 7-0 (Raptors) run to close the gap, to a 10-3 Knicks spurt to pull ahead, both teams repeatedly found ways to answer. And for New York, the solution, by and large, was Jalen Brunson, who drained 7-of-9 shots in the period to open the game with 20 points.
Not to be outdone, Brandon Ingram continued his hot start to this season with 17 first quarter points of his own, adding 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the period.
Both teams shot the ball incredibly well, with New York flushing them at a 65% clip, while Toronto hit 57.7% of its shots.
With the Magic already clinched, Knicks vs. Raptors is underway
The Orlando Magic took down the Heat to clinch the first spot in the NBA Cup East Semifinal Saturday, Dec. 13 in Las Vegas, and they’ll play the winner between the Knicks and Raptors.
New York started hot, making its first four shots, though turnovers allowed Toronto to claw back into it. The Raptors went on a 7-0 run to take an early 15-11 lead.
Knicks vs. Raptors start time update
The Knicks-Raptors game is slated to tip at 8:47 p.m. ET, the Knicks said.
New York Knicks starting lineup
- Josh Hart
- OG Anunoby
- Jalen Brunson
- Mikal Bridges
- Karl-Anthony Towns
Toronto Raptors starting lineup
- Jamal Shead
- Scottie Barnes
- Ochai Agbaji
- Brandon Ingram
- Jakob Poeltl
What time is Knicks vs. Raptors NBA Cup game today?
The Toronto Raptors will host the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 8:30 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
How to watch Knicks vs. Raptors NBA Cup game: TV, live streaming
The game between the Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks will be live streamed nationally on Amazon Prime Video.
- Date: Dec. 9, 2025
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Scotiabank Arena (Toronto)
- TV: None
- Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Watch NBA Cup games with Amazon Prime
Knicks, Raptors injury updates
New York Knicks star Karl-Anthony Towns is listed as questionable on the injury report with left calf tightness and will be a game-time decision, while Landry Shamet is out with a right shoulder sprain.
The Raptors, meanwhile, will be without RJ Barrett, who is dealing with a right knee sprain.