The Emirates NBA Cup continued its quarterfinals with thrilling matchups on Wednesday night with the Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets punching their tickets to the semifinals in Las Vegas with impressive wins over the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors.

Trae Young Reclaims MSG

The Atlanta Hawks triumphed over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, 108-100, in a game defined by resilience and key performances. Trae Young, once reviled in the Garden for his playoff heroics, delivered 22 points and 11 assists, including a clutch third-quarter run that helped the Hawks recover from an early deficit. Atlanta outscored New York 34-18 in the pivotal third quarter, turning the tide decisively.

Jalen Johnson was the unsung hero for Atlanta, contributing a double-double with 21 points and 15 rebounds, while De'Andre Hunter provided a spark off the bench. Despite Karl-Anthony Towns' dominant 19-point, 19-rebound effort for New York, foul trouble in the fourth quarter hampered his impact. Josh Hart also stepped up for the Knicks with 21 points, but the team’s offense faltered late​

Rockets Edge Warriors in Thriller

In Houston, the Rockets eked out a 91-90 win over the Golden State Warriors. Alperen Şengün was the standout player, tallying 26 points and 11 rebounds, including pivotal plays in the final minutes. Jalen Green's clutch free throws with 3.5 seconds left sealed the victory, overcoming a strong push by the Warriors led by Jonathan Kuminga's 20 points. The Rockets' victory also highlighted their young core’s growth and ability to compete under pressure.

The results set the stage for high-stakes matchups in the NBA Cup semifinals, with both Atlanta and Houston proving their mettle in thrilling fashion​ here.