The New York Knicks achieved NBA glory when they won the NBA Cup, the grand prize for the NBA's midseason tournament. 

An eight team bracket and three games culminated in the Knicks' victory, earning them a cash prize of over $500,000 and the right to raise the NBA Cup banner in Madison Square garden, whether or not the tram chooses to actually raise it. 

The NBA Cup was designed to bring a playoff atmosphere to the regular and add another layer of excitement for both players and fans. But, when all is said and done there is still the bulk of the season to follow the NBA Cup and after the Knicks finished celebrating their victory they had to return to the reality of the regular season and a continued chase of a NBA championship. 

The demand that the in-season tournament required of the Knicks meant that the regular season had to take a back seat, and now the team is faced with a brutal stretch of games to keep their success going, whether or not they're fully prepared for it. 

"We weren't really looking too far ahead, so we didn't realize how challenging going right into a back-to-back and then an earlier game on Sunday," Josh Hart said (via SNY_Knicks). 

The Knicks were immediately faced with back-to-back games against the Indiana Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers in their first two games after winning the NBA Cup. They triumphed over the Pacers, but fell to the 76ers 116-107 to snap New York's seven-game winning streak. 

They aren't left much time to rest now, either. New York will prepare to host the Miami Heat on Sunday, leaving the team with just one day of rest after two games. 

The celebrations are officially at end and New York will have to snap back to business. Losing to the 76ers was a rude awakening and a harsh reminder that there is still a season to play. 

It's going to take a hard focus on recovery for the Knicks to be back in form so they can keep the success they've enjoyed so far this season going.

"It'll be a challenge, so we've just got to make sure we get our bodies right and get some sleep, eat some good food and try to get back on Sunday."

Even with the NBA Cup aside, the Knicks have had a stellar season. They own a 19-8 record, second in the Eastern Conference and will be strong contenders to at least go far in the playoffs before they would be met with any challengers from the imposing Western Conference. 

Ultimately, the NBA Cup was a side quest on the way to the main mission of winning the first Knicks Championship in over 40 years and that pursuit doesn't stop even if New York has something to celebrate right now.