San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks preview, predictions and where to watch
The 2026 NBA Finals are set, and for the first time since 1999, the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks will meet with the Larry O’Brien Trophy on the line.
San Antonio comes in as Western Conference champions after dethroning the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game series, while New York advanced to the Eastern Conference playoffs and entered the finals riding a streak of 11 postseason wins.
An interesting clash of styles. Spurs are led by the talent of Victor Wembanyama and one of the youngest ever to reach the Finals.
The Knicks, meanwhile, are fueled by the leadership and scoring prowess of Jalen Brunson as they chase their first NBA title since 1973.
It should make for a fascinating series, and it’s hard to call. 101GreatGoals looks at the similarities in detail.
Wembanyama is about to lead Spurs
Everything good that Spurs does starts with Wembanyama.
The 22-year-old has established himself as one of the most promising players in the league and has raised his game significantly during the playoffs.
His influence goes beyond the distance of the box. He protects the rim, stretches the floor, creates mismatches and changes the way opponents attack.
The French star was named the Western Conference Finals MVP after helping eliminate Oklahoma City and being the catalyst for San Antonio’s rapid rise from rebuilding franchise to contender.
New York’s biggest challenge will be finding a way to slow him down without allowing the Spurs’ playmakers to thrive.
Brunson leads the Knicks’ resistance
If Wembanyama is the future face of the NBA, Brunson is the player who carries the hopes of New York.
The captain of the Knicks was outstanding throughout the last season, not only that his goals were high, but his ability to release in stressful times is what made the Knicks strong.
Brunson will likely be checked by San Antonio’s perimeter defenders, but if he can break down the Spurs’ defense and drive Wembanyama away from the basket, New York has a chance in this series.
The complete schedule for the 2026 NBA Finals
| The game | The day | Time (BST) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Game 1 | Thursday 4 June | 01:30 | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio |
| Game 2 | Saturday 6 June | 01:30 | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio |
| Game 3 | Tuesday 9 June | 01:30 | Madison Square Garden, New York |
| Game 4 | Thursday 11 June | 01:30 | Madison Square Garden, New York |
| Game 5* | Sunday 14 June | 01:30 | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio |
| Game 6* | Wednesday 17 June | 01:30 | Madison Square Garden, New York |
| Game 7* | Saturday 20th June | 01:30 | Frost Bank Center, San Antonio |
*If necessary
Where to watch the NBA Finals in the UK
UK viewers can watch the NBA Finals live on TNT Sports and via the NBA League Pass streaming service.
League Pass offers live streaming of every game, full replays and additional camera angles, while TNT Sports will provide telecasts for the entire series.
Prediction
This series feels much closer than many expected a few months ago.
The Knicks have been dominant throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs and bring serious intensity, experience and the best clutch player left in the postseason.
They have also won two of three meetings against San Antonio this season, including a victory in the NBA Cup Finals.
However, the Spurs have the best player in the series.
Wembanyama’s impact on both ends of the floor is unlike anything New York has faced in this playoff run, and the San Antonio fans quickly matured.
Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox all played huge roles in getting the Spurs to this stage.
Home court advantage could be the difference, with the Spurs hosting Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 after finishing with the better regular season record.
Prediction: Spurs win the series 4-2.
