Knicks vs Spurs: NBA Finals 2026 Preview
- Sportz Nation Staff
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
by Zak Drapeau and Joel Piton
Knicks
The Knicks haven’t been to the NBA Finals since 1999, so they want to maximize this opportunity. They showed some weakness against the Hawks in the first round, but since then, New York has been on a historic tear, looking like one of the strongest Eastern Conference squads we’ve seen in recent memory while riding an 11-0 win streak and sweeping through two straight rounds. The Spurs may enter this matchup looking like the favorites, especially with their youth, size, and Defensive Player of the Year anchoring the middle, but the Knicks are bringing plenty to the table. This is a veteran-heavy, battle-tested group filled with players who understand playoff pressure. OG Anunoby is one of the few defenders with the strength, length, and mentality to get under Victor Wembanyama’s skin and make life miserable for him offensively.
Mikal Bridges gives New York another lanky, quick, aggressive wing who can pressure Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell while still finding his spots in the midrange. Karl-Anthony Towns has also looked like a much sharper decision-maker throughout the playoffs, becoming a nightmare on the glass and a real weapon defensively while helping make up for Mitchell Robinson’s lack of scoring. Robinson, playing through a broken pinky finger, made life difficult for Embiid and could make things uncomfortable for Wemby as well. And then there’s Jalen Brunson, the captain, closer, and heartbeat of this Knicks team. He can kill you from midrange, punish you from three, pick apart your best coverage, and make the right pass when the defense collapses. We’re watching an assassin in his prime, and if the Spurs are going to win this series, they’re going to have to rip it away from him.
Spurs
The Knicks may have their win streak, they may have the team chemistry stemming all the way from Villanova and they may have the entire country's support in this matchup, but the Spurs have Wemby.
In his first time EVER in the NBA Playoffs, the 22-year old has averaged 23, 11 and 3 with 3.5 blocks in 17 games. He'd also lead his Spurs through a 7-game series win over the reigning champions, (and consensus best team in the league ) Oklahoma City Thunder in the WCF.
Even though Wemby is the star and face of the franchise, it would be the other starters who's clutch play would really shape the series. Backcourt mates De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle along with rookie Dylan Harper would have huge series and not just in scoring the rock. Stephon Castle had probably the most hustle and best defense of anyone in the series aside from Wemby and was constantly a nuisance to players like SGA and Lou Dort. Dylan Harper was one of the most efficient scorers in the series with 11-for-17 shooting in Games 6 and 7 and even after missing Games 1 and 2, would average 11 and 5 in the series and be the playmaker the Spurs needed to not only win but get Wemby and Castle the ball.
With -195 odds to win the Finals, (courtesy of Caesar's Sportsbook) the Spurs will be expected to win the Series especially with it's first two games taking place in San Antonio on Wednesday and Friday.
Game 1 Preview
Zak Drapeau -
The Spurs will be back at home in the Frost Bank Center for Wednesday's Game 1 where they will be favored by 4.5 points. This game will be show the huge contrast in not only styles of the two teams but also their circumstance.
The styles clash will see the Knicks' offensive focus with their backcourt looking to score early an often, with their 11-game win streak seeing an average of over 120 points scored per game. The Spurs will contrastingly be defensively focused with Wembanyama looking to lock down the paint and players like Stephon Castle following Brunson everywhere and looking to create turnovers and fast breaks.
Their is also a MASSIVE difference in the players' momentum, with the Spurs vanquishing their heated rivals just 3 days ago and the Knicks not playing in a game in over a week. The Knicks showed they are able to stay warm between series when they had a 9-day layoff between the 76ers and Cavs series and still won Game 1, but the Cavs weren't on the level that the Spurs are right now.
The Spurs are stronger, deeper and have the best player in the world. They're also on an emotional high with momentum and are at home for Game 1. That being said, I just feel like the Knicks are going to steal Game 1. Whether it's Brunson going off for 40+ points or the team chemistry just compelling them to a very close, 4th Quarter win, this Knicks team has grit and never-say-die attitude that screams upset to me.
Prediction: Knicks 106 - Spurs 103
Joel Piton -
Don’t forget, the Knicks went 2-1 against the Spurs during the regular season, but San Antonio will be coming into Game 1 wanting revenge. This should be money for the Spurs. They’re at home, playing in front of a sold-out arena ready to celebrate them as conference champions, the energy should be electric from the opening tip. New York won’t be able to get the ball down low easily, which could force Karl-Anthony Towns to be a stretch big again throughout this series. Brunson vs. Fox should be one of the most exciting matchups on the floor: two southpaw guards who bring lightning-quick speed, lethal driving ability, and a serious competitive edge. Mitchell Robinson was a nightmare on the glass last series, but the question is whether he can do it again against Wemby and San Antonio’s size. You never really know which version of Josh Hart you're going to get. Sometimes he looks like a do-it-all sharpshooter who can rebound, defend, and playmake; other times, he's unplayable. Hart will be key in stopping Julian Champagnie from repeating what he did in Game 7, but ultimately, the Spurs may simply have too much firepower.
Prediction: Spurs 115 - Knicks 91
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2026 NBA Finals. Zak and Joel's Game Previews happening the day before EACH game.
-Z.D.