Though the San Antonio Spurs came up short of a title, their run to the NBA Cup championship game announced the team's arrival as a real threat to the league's very best teams. Including the Knicks, who might've had a tougher time beating San Antonio if Victor Wembanyama wasn't on a minutes restriction in his second game back from injury.

This article originally published at After falling in NBA Cup, why heartbreak was a big step for Spurs.

ESPN analyst Kevin Pelton breaks down how the finalist Spurs and semifinalist Magic can use their cup experience for the postseason.

Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs showed the entire NBA that they can hang with anyone, and aren't going away anytime soon.

The Spurs' upset of the Thunder in the NBA Cup has put Victor Wembanyama's squad back into the top of the NBA power rankings.