NBA Finals 2026: Knicks vs Spurs odds, preview and prediction

The New York Knicks are heading to their first NBA Finals since 1999 - when they lost to the Spurs - after producing one of the most dominant playoff runs in NBA history. Since falling 2-1 behind against the Atlanta Hawks in the First Round, the Knicks have won 11 consecutive games, sweeping both the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers to move within four wins of a first NBA championship since 1973. Their Eastern Conference Finals victory was particularly impressive, recovering from 22 points down in the fourth quarter of Game 1 - the largest ever fourth-quarter comeback in the playoffs - before completely taking control of the series and dispatching Cleveland 4-0.

The catalyst for New York's remarkable turnaround has been coach Mike Brown's decision to make Karl-Anthony Towns the focal point of the offense. The tactical adjustment has transformed the Knicks into one of the league's most fluid attacking teams, while still allowing Jalen Brunson to remain the closer and primary scoring threat. Brunson underlined his reputation as one of the NBA's elite fourth-quarter performers with 38 points in that Game 1 comeback against Cleveland and is averaging 26.9 points per game in the playoffs. Towns, meanwhile, recorded double-doubles in three of the four games against the Cavaliers and continues to create matchup problems with his combination of size, shooting and playmaking. Against San Antonio, staying out of foul trouble when matched up against Victor Wembanyama could be crucial.

While Brunson and Towns grab the headlines, New York's supporting cast has been equally important throughout the postseason. OG Anunoby remains one of the NBA's premier two-way players and will once again be tasked with some of the toughest defensive assignments in the Finals. Mikal Bridges has been outstanding, shooting at nearly 60% through the playoffs, while Josh Hart continues to provide energy, rebounding and timely scoring, highlighted by his 26-point performance in Game 2 against Cleveland. The development of the Knicks' defense has been just as important as their offensive improvement, with New York now looking like one of the most complete teams in basketball.

There are still a few concerns. Mitchell Robinson's finger injury is something to monitor, particularly against a Spurs frontcourt led by Wembanyama, while his struggles from the free-throw line could become a talking point in a tight series. Even so, few teams have entered the NBA Finals in better form than this Knicks side, who arrive full of confidence and playing their best basketball of the season.

The San Antonio Spurs are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 after coming through the toughest route of any team in this year's postseason. The Western Conference's second seed dispatched the Portland Trail Blazers in five games before eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves in six, but their defining moment came in the Conference Finals. Facing the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Spurs won an all-time classic in Game 1 on the road, before recovering from 3-2 down to win the final two games of the series, including a memorable Game 7 victory in Oklahoma City. It was a statement performance from one of the youngest teams in the league and underlined why San Antonio are now favourites to lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Victor Wembanyama has been at the heart of everything the Spurs have achieved. The first-ever unanimous Defensive Player of the Year produced a Western Conference Finals performance that will be remembered for years to come, scoring at least 20 points in every game against Oklahoma City. His standout display came in Game 1, when he finished with a staggering 41 points and 24 rebounds in a double-overtime victory that immediately swung home-court advantage in San Antonio's favour. Few players in NBA history have impacted games at both ends of the floor quite like the Frenchman has during his first few seasons in the league, and he arrives in the Finals looking every bit the superstar many expected him to become.

While Wembanyama is the headline act, the Spurs' run to the Finals has been built on far more than one player. De'Aaron Fox's impact has been limited as he battles through an ankle injury but he remains a dangerous secondary scorer, while Stephon Castle's emergence has been one of the stories of the postseason. The second-year guard is averaging 19.2 points per game in the playoffs and has repeatedly delivered in big moments, including a 32-point display to clinch the Conference Semi-Finals in Minnesota, and had some highlight-reel dunks against OKC. San Antonio's depth was on full display in Game 7 against Oklahoma City, where seven players scored in double figures, while Dylan Harper and Julian Champagnie both knocked down huge three-pointers as the Spurs closed out the defending champions.

The Spurs may be the second-youngest team ever to reach the NBA Finals, but they have shown remarkable composure throughout the postseason. Having already overcome a contending Timberwolves side and knocked out the reigning champions, this group has shown it fears nobody. Wembanyama gives San Antonio the best player in the series, but their ability to get contributions from every corner of the roster is what has turned them from an exciting young team into a genuine championship contender.

The odds have the Spurs as favourites heading into the series, but this feels like a genuine toss-up. San Antonio have already overcome what many believed would be their biggest challenge by defeating the defending champions, and Wembanyama looks like a man on a personal mission to bring the title back to Texas.

The Knicks, however, have looked virtually unstoppable since Mike Brown's tactical adjustment involving Towns. New York have won 11 consecutive playoff games, becoming just the fifth team in NBA history to do so, and each of the previous four have gone on to win the championship.

There is also the question of fatigue. The Spurs have come through two physically demanding series against Minnesota and Oklahoma City, while the Knicks swept both Philadelphia and Cleveland and have had significantly more time to recover. In what promises to be a long and closely fought Finals, that extra rest could prove decisive.

We're expecting a classic series that goes the distance, and while Wembanyama may be the best player on the floor, New York arrive looking like the more complete team. They are well rested and a gruelling Western Conference Finals could finally catch up with the Spurs. We're leaning towards backing the New York Knicks to win the NBA Finals in seven games and end their 53-year wait for a championship.

Prediction: New York Knicks to win in seven

• Game 1 - Spurs 95-105 Knicks

• Game 2 - Knicks @ Spurs - Saturday, June 6, 1.30am BST

• Game 3 - Spurs @ Knicks - Tuesday, June 9, 1.30am BST

• Game 4 - Spurs @ Knicks - Thursday, June 11, 1.30am BST

• Game 5 (if required) - Knicks @ Spurs - Sunday, June 14, 1.30am BST

• Game 6 (if required) - Spurs @ Knicks - Wednesday, June 17, 1.30am BST

• Game 7 (if required) - Knicks @ Spurs - Saturday, June 20, 1.30am BST

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.