The NBA Cup was designed to inject some drama and increase the stakes to the middle of the regular season. For reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Cup has also proven to be some effective playoff preparation for the young Thunder.

Jaylen Brown locks up Luka Doncic in Game 5 to seal the Bill Russell trophy as 2024 NBA Finals MVP.

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.