The San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks will open the 2026 NBA Finals this week, renewing a championship rivalry first seen in 1999 and revisited during December’s NBA Cup title game.
Although New York edged San Antonio for the mid-season trophy six months ago, Knicks head coach Mike Brown believes both clubs have changed significantly since that meeting. “We’re the same but different team, and same with them,” Brown said Sunday, according to Newsday. “You can tell that they’ve matured as a group. You can tell we’ve matured as a group.”
Wembanyama at Full Strength
Rookie star Victor Wembanyama had just returned from a calf strain and logged only 25 minutes off the bench in the NBA Cup final. His workload has grown dramatically; he averaged nearly 38 minutes during the Western Conference finals against Oklahoma City, where the Spurs posted a +14.8 net rating while he was on the floor. Solving the 7-foot-4 forward remains New York’s top priority.
Knicks Lean on Shooting, Spacing
A Western Conference executive told ESPN’s Tim Bontemps that New York’s perimeter accuracy could trouble San Antonio’s defense more than Oklahoma City did. Karl-Anthony Towns, inserted at power forward after a mid-season trade, is expected to stretch the floor and pull Wembanyama away from the rim. “I think having (Towns) out there spacing will help,” a Western Conference scout said. “He’s a good enough shooter to be respected.”
Defensive Matchups in Question
On the other end, the Knicks must find assignments for Towns and Jalen Brunson against a Spurs lineup featuring De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson, Julian Champagnie and Devin Vassell. League scouts told ESPN that OG Anunoby likely opens on Wembanyama, with Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart available for support, but hiding Brunson and Towns could prove difficult. “Castle and Harper are much bigger and stronger than him,” one Western assistant coach said of Brunson. Another scout added, “I don’t know where you put Towns… you can’t assume Castle’s going to miss right now.”
Teams Arrive on Hot Streaks
New York has won 10 of its last 11 postseason games, setting an NBA record for point differential over that span after trailing 2-1 to Atlanta in the opening round, according to The Athletic’s John Hollinger. San Antonio counters with a 30-4 finish to the regular season, an 8-3 mark through Portland and Minnesota in the playoffs, and a series win over favored Oklahoma City. The Spurs have captured 39 of the past 44 games in which Wembanyama logged at least 20 minutes.
Injury Watch
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson underwent finger surgery last week. Early indications suggested he hoped to suit up for Game 1, but his status remains uncertain.
Odds and Predictions
Sportsbooks list San Antonio as a moderate favorite, with moneyline odds ranging from –185 to –205. Hollinger projects the series to last seven games, picking the Spurs but labeling New York an obvious threat.
Fan interest is already high; a HoopsRumors poll asking “Who will win the 2026 NBA Finals?” had collected 188 votes as of Monday.
The Finals begin later this week at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. The champion will need four wins over a potential seven-game stretch.
Source: HoopsRumors
