2026 NBA Finals: San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks

The 2026 NBA Finals will be the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2025-26 season. The series will be contested between the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs and the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks. The best-of-seven series is scheduled to begin on Thursday 4 June 2026 at the Frost Bank Center and may consist of up to seven games.

This matchup represents a rare reunion in NBA history: the two teams last met in the 1999 NBA Finals, where the Spurs emerged victorious. In the 2026 Finals, San Antonio aims to win its sixth championship title, while New York seeks its first NBA title since 1973. Considering the league has produced a different champion in each of the past eight years, this final extends the record for the most diverse championship distribution in NBA history.

The 1999 NBA Finals were played during a shortened season following a league-wide strike. The Spurs won their first championship in franchise history that year. A striking historical parallel emerges in the 2026 Finals: just as 22-year-old Tim Duncan was the defining figure in the 1999 series, 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama occupies a similar position in 2026.

Additionally, the same two teams met in the 2025-26 NBA Cup (Emirates NBA Cup) final, which the New York Knicks won. Although this Cup final is not included in the 82-game regular season statistics, it provides a meaningful data point in the context of the accumulated rivalry between the finalists.

During the 2025-26 NBA regular season, San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks faced each other twice. In their first meeting on 31 December, the Spurs defeated the Knicks 134-132, ending New York’s 11-game winning streak. Victor Wembanyama scored 31 points and Julian Champagnie hit 11 three-pointers for 22 points. In their second regular season matchup on 1 March, the Knicks took control in the fourth quarter to win 114-89. Both teams earned one win each in the regular season. Excluding the NBA Cup final, the teams are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head record for the season.

The 2025-26 season marks a remarkable turnaround for the San Antonio Spurs. After missing the playoffs the previous season and finishing near the bottom of the Western Conference, the Spurs began the 2025-26 season with a 65-1 probability of winning the championship according to preseason odds. If realized, this would make them the greatest preseason favorite in at least forty years of NBA history. The New York Knicks, after three consecutive playoff exits, have reached the Finals in 2026.

The San Antonio Spurs endured a challenging path through the 2025-26 NBA playoffs. In the Western Conference Finals, they faced defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game series and advanced with a 4-3 victory. The decisive Game 7 ended with a 111-103 Spurs win on OKC’s home court.

In Game 7, Victor Wembanyama scored 22 points and Julian Champagnie added 20, 18 of which came from three-pointers. Stephon Castle contributed 16 points, De'Aaron Fox 15, and Dylan Harper 12. Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell each added 11. One of the pivotal moments came when Luke Kornet recorded a crucial block in the middle of the fourth quarter. Although Kornet played only six minutes, missed all three of his shot attempts, and scored just two points, his defensive play became one of the defining moments in Spurs history.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 35 points and nine assists but could not prevent the loss. Cason Wallace scored 17 points, while Jared McCain and Alex Caruso each added 12.

This victory marked the Spurs’ first appearance in the NBA Finals since the 2013-14 season and underscored the remarkable speed of their rise: advancing directly from the 13th seed in the Western Conference to the Finals represents an unprecedented ascent in NBA history. During the playoffs, the Spurs managed various injuries, including a concussion to Wembanyama, and overcame a 3-2 deficit in the OKC series.

During the Western Conference Finals, Victor Wembanyama became the first player in NBA playoff history to record at least 15 three-pointers and 15 blocks in a single series.

Following the Spurs’ victory in the series, Oklahoma City Thunder veteran Alex Caruso shared his perspective on the rivalry: when asked whether the Spurs posed a unique challenge for the Thunder, Caruso emphasized that the game was winnable and stressed that responsibility for the loss must lie with his own team. Caruso averaged 14.9 points per game over the seven-game series.

The New York Knicks completed their 2025-26 playoff run with momentum after a difficult start. Facing the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, the Knicks fell behind 2-1 and lost Games 2 and 3 by single digits. They then won the series 4-2 and swept both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Eastern Conference Finals opponent Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 to reach the Finals.

Following their four-game series win over Atlanta, the Knicks won 11 consecutive playoff games. This playoff run stands out as the most dominant in NBA history by point differential, with a total margin of +271 points. Moreover, the Knicks won all three of their series-clinching games on the road, decisively.

After sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks entered an eight-day rest period before the Finals. The Spurs, by contrast, began their first Finals game only three days after their seven-game series ended, sparking debate over the disparity in rest between the two teams.

The Knicks’ playoff journey was also defined by exceptional shooting efficiency: they recorded the highest effective field goal percentage in NBA playoff history at 59.2%. OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges delivered statistical performances far exceeding their regular season levels.

The Finals will be played according to the following schedule (Turkey time: 03:30, night):

• Game 1 — 4 June 2026 (Thursday): San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (San Antonio)
• Game 2 — 6 June 2026 (Saturday): San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (San Antonio)
• Game 3 — 9 June 2026 (Tuesday): New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs (New York)
• Game 4 — 11 June 2026 (Thursday): New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs (New York)
• Game 5 — 14 June 2026 (Sunday): San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (San Antonio, if necessary)
• Game 6 — 17 June 2026 (Wednesday): New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs (New York, if necessary)
• Game 7 — 20 June 2026 (Saturday): San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (San Antonio, if necessary)

Home-court advantage belongs to the San Antonio Spurs. All games will be broadcast on the ABC network. Matches hosted by the Spurs will be played at the Frost Bank Center. The opening game on 4 June will tip off at 03:30 Turkey time and 20:30 Eastern Daylight Time (8:30 PM ET).

Since 2019, NBA champions have been: Toronto Raptors (2019), Los Angeles Lakers (2020), Milwaukee Bucks (2021), Golden State Warriors (2022), Denver Nuggets (2023), Boston Celtics (2024), Oklahoma City Thunder (2025). Regardless of the 2026 champion, the NBA will have crowned a different franchise in each of the past eight years, establishing an unprecedented era of parity. This trend is further underscored by the fact that no team since the 2018-19 Golden State Warriors has even reached the Finals.

Victor Wembanyama was selected first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. His official height is recorded at 7 feet 4 inches (approximately 2.24 meters), though some sources suggest he may reach 7 feet 6 inches. Born in France and having never lived in the United States before joining the NBA, Wembanyama has gained widespread popularity and is noted for his fluency in English.

His three-year NBA career averages stand at 23.4 points, 11 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 blocks per game. In the 2025-26 season, Wembanyama won the Defensive Player of the Year award and became the only player in NBA playoff history to record at least 15 three-pointers and 15 blocks in a single series. At age 14, he declined an offer to join FC Barcelona’s senior squad and is known to have trained mentally with Shaolin monks in China.

The New York Knicks last won the NBA championship in 1973. Having reached their first Finals since 1999, the Knicks have witnessed 17 different franchises lift the trophy since that era. Since their last title, the Los Angeles Lakers have won 11 championships, the Boston Celtics seven, the Chicago Bulls six, and the Golden State Warriors five.

There are notable intersections between the coaching staffs of the two finalists. Knicks head coach Mike Brown served as an assistant under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs and was part of their 2003 championship team. On the Spurs side, Mitch Johnson previously worked as Popovich’s assistant and now holds the head coaching position after attending the same university. Gregg Popovich currently serves as the Spurs’ president of basketball operations. Brown and De’Aaron Fox have maintained a working relationship since their time together with the Sacramento Kings.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on 27 May 2026 that he intends to attend the NBA Finals. Trump, who is also the owner of Madison Square Garden and the New York Knicks, confirmed he has been invited to the games. Trump, a native of New York, identifies James Dolan as both a personal associate and a political supporter.

NBA legend Magic Johnson publicly questioned the difference in rest between the two teams heading into the Finals. He raised concerns about whether the Knicks’ eight-day break might disrupt their rhythm, or whether the Spurs, having rested only three days after a grueling seven-game series, would face a fatigue disadvantage. The question has gained prominence given the Knicks’ 11-game winning streak and the Spurs’ ongoing momentum buildup.

New York Knicks’ versatile player Josh Hart publicly expressed his hope to be assigned to defend Wembanyama. Hart’s rationale is that the Spurs may attempt to isolate Wembanyama away from him to control the paint. Hart’s playoff statistics average 11.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.

The 2026 NBA Finals are the championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2025-26 season. The series will be contested between the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs and the Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks. The best-of-seven series is scheduled to begin on Thursday 4 June 2026 at the Frost Bank Center and may consist of up to seven games.

This matchup represents a rare reunion in NBA history: the two teams last met in the 1999 NBA Finals, where the Spurs emerged victorious. In the 2026 Finals, San Antonio aims to win its sixth championship title, while New York seeks its first NBA title since 1973. Considering the league’s streak of eight consecutive seasons with a different champion, this final extends the record for the widest distribution of titles in NBA history.

The 1999 NBA Finals were played under a shortened schedule following a league lockout. The Spurs, who won that series, claimed their first championship in franchise history. A striking historical parallel emerges in the 2026 Finals: just as 22-year-old Tim Duncan was the defining figure in the 1999 series, 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama occupies a similar position in 2026.

Additionally, the same two teams met in the 2025-26 NBA Cup (Emirates NBA Cup) final, which the New York Knicks won. Although this Cup final is not included in the 82-game regular season statistics, it serves as a meaningful data point in the accumulated rivalry between the finalists.

During the 2025-26 NBA regular season, San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks faced each other twice. In their first meeting on 31 December, the Spurs ended New York’s 11-game winning streak with a 134-132 victory, as Wembanyama scored 31 points and Julian Champagnie hit 11 three-pointers for 11 points. In their second regular season matchup on 1 March, the Knicks took control in the fourth quarter to win 114-89. The teams split the two regular season games. Excluding the NBA Cup final, the teams are tied 1-1 in their head-to-head record for the season.

The 2025-26 season marks a remarkable turnaround for the San Antonio Spurs. After missing the playoffs last season and finishing near the bottom of the Western Conference, the Spurs began the 2025-26 season with a 65-1 probability of winning the regular season title. If realized, this would make them the biggest preseason favorite in at least four decades. The New York Knicks, after three consecutive playoff exits in recent years, have reached the Finals in 2026.

The San Antonio Spurs endured a challenging path in the 2025-26 NBA playoffs. In the Western Conference Finals, they faced defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game series and advanced with a 4-3 victory. The decisive seventh game ended with a 111-103 Spurs win on OKC’s home court.

In Game 7, Victor Wembanyama scored 22 points and Julian Champagnie added 20, 18 of which came from three-pointers. Stephon Castle contributed 16 points, De'Aaron Fox 15, Dylan Harper 12, and Keldon Johnson and Devin Vassell each added 11. One of the game’s pivotal moments came when Luke Kornet recorded a crucial block in the middle of the fourth quarter. Although Kornet played only six minutes, missed all three of his shot attempts, and scored just two points, his block has become one of the defining moments in Spurs history.

For the Oklahoma City Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posted 35 points and nine assists but could not prevent the loss. Cason Wallace added 17 points, while Jared McCain and Alex Caruso each scored 12.

This victory marked the Spurs’ first appearance in the NBA Finals since the 2013-14 season and underscores the remarkable speed of their rise: advancing directly from 13th place in the Western Conference to the Finals represents an unprecedented ascent in league history. During the playoff run, the Spurs managed various injuries, including a concussion to Wembanyama, and overcame a 3-2 deficit in the OKC series.

During the Western Conference Finals, Victor Wembanyama became the first player in NBA playoff history to record 15 or more three-pointers and 15 or more blocks in a single series.

Following the Spurs’ victory in the series, Oklahoma City Thunder veteran Alex Caruso shared his thoughts on the opposition: when asked whether the Spurs posed a unique challenge for the Thunder, Caruso emphasized that the game was winnable and stressed that responsibility for the loss must lie within his own team. Caruso averaged 14.9 points per game across the seven-game series.

The New York Knicks completed their 2025-26 playoff campaign with momentum after a difficult start. Down 2-1 against the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, the Knicks lost Games 2 and 3 by single-digit margins. They then rallied to win the series 4-2 and swept both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Eastern Conference Finals opponent Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 to reach the Finals.

Accordingly, after winning the four games against Atlanta, the Knicks recorded 11 consecutive playoff victories. This playoff run stands out as the most dominant in NBA history by point differential, with a total margin of +271 points. Moreover, the Knicks won all three of their series-clinching games on the road, decisively.

After sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks entered an eight-day rest period before the Finals. The Spurs, by contrast, entered their first game just three days after their seven-game series, sparking debate over the disparity in rest between the two teams.

The Knicks’ playoff journey was also defined by exceptional shooting efficiency: the team recorded a true shooting percentage of 59.2%, the highest in NBA playoff history. OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges delivered statistical performances far exceeding their regular season levels.

The final series will be played according to the following schedule (Turkey time: 03:30, night):

• Game 1 — 4 June 2026 (Thursday): San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (San Antonio)
• Game 2 — 6 June 2026 (Saturday): San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (San Antonio)
• Game 3 — 9 June 2026 (Tuesday): New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs (New York)
• Game 4 — 11 June 2026 (Thursday): New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs (New York)
• Game 5 — 14 June 2026 (Sunday): San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (San Antonio, if necessary)
• Game 6 — 17 June 2026 (Wednesday): New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs (New York, if necessary)
• Game 7 — 20 June 2026 (Saturday): San Antonio Spurs vs New York Knicks (San Antonio, if necessary)

Home-court advantage belongs to the San Antonio Spurs. All games will be broadcast on the ABC network. Matches hosted by the Spurs will be played at the Frost Bank Center. The opening game on 4 June will tip off at 03:30 Turkey time and 20:30 Eastern Daylight Time (8:30 PM ET).

Since 2019, NBA champions have been: Toronto Raptors (2019), Los Angeles Lakers (2020), Milwaukee Bucks (2021), Golden State Warriors (2022), Denver Nuggets (2023), Boston Celtics (2024), Oklahoma City Thunder (2025). Regardless of the 2026 champion, the NBA will have crowned a different franchise for eight consecutive years, establishing an unprecedented era of parity. This trend is further underscored by the fact that no team since the 2018-19 Golden State Warriors has even reached the Finals.

Victor Wembanyama was selected first overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. His official height is recorded at 7 feet 4 inches (approximately 2.24 meters), though some sources suggest he may reach 7 feet 6 inches. Despite being French and having never lived in the United States before joining the NBA, Wembanyama has gained widespread attention for his fluency in English and commands a vast fan base.

His three-season NBA career averages stand at 23.4 points, 11 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 blocks per game. Wembanyama also won the Defensive Player of the Year award in the 2025-26 season and became the only player in NBA playoff history to record more than 15 three-pointers and more than 15 blocks in a single series. At age 14, he declined an offer to join FC Barcelona’s senior squad and is known to have engaged in mental training exercises with Shaolin monks in China.

The New York Knicks last won an NBA championship in 1973. Now playing in their first Finals since 1999, the Knicks have witnessed 17 different franchises lift the trophy since the era of Willis Reed, Walt Frazier, Dave DeBusschere, Bill Bradley, Earl Monroe, and Phil Jackson. Since their last title, the Los Angeles Lakers have won 11 championships, the Boston Celtics seven, the Chicago Bulls six, and the Golden State Warriors five.

There are notable intersections between the coaching staffs of the two finalists. Knicks head coach Mike Brown previously served as an assistant under Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs and was part of their 2003 championship team. On the Spurs side, Mitch Johnson, who previously worked as Popovich’s assistant, has now assumed the head coaching role after coming from the same coaching lineage. Gregg Popovich currently serves as the Spurs’ president of basketball operations. Brown and De'Aaron Fox have maintained a working relationship since their time together with the Sacramento Kings.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on 27 May 2026 that he intends to attend the NBA Finals. Trump revealed that he owns the Knicks and Madison Square Garden, and that he has been invited to the games. Trump, a native of New York, identifies James Dolan both as a personal associate and a political supporter.

NBA legend Magic Johnson questioned the rest disparity between the two teams in a public message. He asked whether the Knicks’ eight-day break might disrupt their rhythm, or whether the Spurs, having rested only three days after a grueling seven-game series, would face a fatigue disadvantage. The question has gained prominence given the Knicks’ 11-game winning streak and the Spurs’ still-building momentum heading into the Finals.

New York Knicks’ versatile player Josh Hart publicly expressed his hope that he would be assigned to defend Wembanyama. The context behind this statement is that the Spurs may attempt to isolate Wembanyama away from Hart to dominate the interior. Hart has averaged 11.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.8 steals per game during this playoff run.

^{First Game: San Antonio Spurs 95 - 105 New York Knicks (NBA)}

The first game of the 2026 American Basketball League (NBA) Finals was played on June 3 2026 at local evening time (TSI June 4 2026 03:30) at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio Texas. The matchup between Eastern Conference champion New York Knicks and Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs ended with a 105-95 victory for the New York Knicks who took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

This encounter marked the first time since the 1999 NBA Finals that both teams met in the championship round. The San Antonio Spurs finished the regular season in second place in the Western Conference with a record of 62 wins and 20 losses and advanced to the Finals by defeating the Portland Trail Blazers Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder in the playoffs. The New York Knicks finished third in the Eastern Conference with a 53-29 regular season record and earned their place in the Finals by eliminating the Atlanta Hawks Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Prior to this game the New York Knicks had won 11 consecutive playoff games and extended their winning streak to 12 with this victory. While the San Antonio Spurs aimed for their sixth championship the New York Knicks sought to end a 53-year title drought dating back to their last championship in 1973.

The San Antonio Spurs started the game strongly. By the midpoint of the quarter they had opened a 20-3 run to establish a significant lead and create one of the largest margins of the game. Spurs guard Dylan Harper who came off the bench scored 10 points in just seven minutes of play during the first quarter.

Near the end of the quarter New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson suffered a right knee injury after colliding with Harrison Barnes during a rebound battle and left the court for medical evaluation. The first quarter ended with San Antonio Spurs leading 27-19.

At the start of the second quarter Jalen Brunson returned to the court without a knee brace after receiving treatment in the locker room. However in the later minutes of the quarter Knicks player suffered a second injury when Spurs center Luke Kornet stepped on Brunson’s ankle.

During this quarter Julian Champagnie playing for San Antonio Spurs made five of six three-point attempts to contribute 15 points in the first half. Although New York Knicks led 29-28 in the second quarter the halftime score favored San Antonio Spurs 55-48. Both teams struggled with three-point shooting in the first half combining for only eight makes out of 31 attempts (25.8%). Additionally New York Knicks attempted only three free throws in the entire first half.

In the third quarter San Antonio Spurs extended their lead to 14 points (63-50 and later 67-54) even while Victor Wembanyama was resting on the bench. From that point New York Knicks responded with a 15-4 run fueled by baskets from Landry Shamet Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson to cut the deficit to a single possession.

With one minute remaining in the quarter Jalen Brunson’s basket tied the score at 71-71. New York Knicks finished the third quarter with a 28-21 advantage to level the game at 76-76 heading into the final period. Karl-Anthony Towns recorded 10 points 4 rebounds and 2 assists during the quarter.

The fourth quarter featured a series of back-and-forth scoring runs. In the middle of the quarter play was temporarily halted by officials after a fan attempted to take a photo with Victor Wembanyama and the individual was removed from the court by security personnel.

With 2 minutes and 16 seconds remaining San Antonio Spurs went on a 9-0 run to take a 95-94 lead. However the Spurs failed to score again for the remainder of the game. In the final minutes New York Knicks closed with an 11-0 run including a corner three-pointer from Jalen Brunson multiple free throws from Mikal Bridges and a difficult shot by Brunson with 37.8 seconds left to secure a 105-95 victory. The fourth quarter ended 29-19 in favor of New York Knicks.

• Jalen Brunson: Played 37 minutes shooting 10 of 22 from the field scoring a total of 30 points including 13 in the fourth quarter along with 3 rebounds and 2 assists.
• Karl-Anthony Towns: Recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds in 34 minutes for a double-double and added 4 assists.
• OG Anunoby: Scored 17 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in 31 minutes including key three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
• Josh Hart: Despite scoring only 3 points in 26 minutes of play Hart recorded 15 rebounds 6 assists and 4 steals. This performance made him the first player since Larry Bird in 1986 to record at least 15 rebounds 6 assists and 4 steals in a single NBA Finals game.
• Landry Shamet & Mikal Bridges: Shamet scored 13 points in 33 minutes on 3 of 6 from three-point range while Bridges added 9 points and 3 rebounds in 28 minutes.
• Mitchell Robinson: Played despite a fractured fifth metacarpal in his right hand scoring 2 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 13 minutes.

As a team New York Knicks committed only one turnover in the second half and recorded 22 second-chance points overall.

• Victor Wembanyama: Played 37 minutes recording 26 points 12 rebounds 2 assists 3 blocks and 1 steal. He also committed 6 turnovers.
• Stephon Castle: Scored 17 points grabbed 8 rebounds and dished out 3 assists in 34 minutes on 6 of 11 shooting from the field.
• Julian Champagnie: Recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes all of his points coming from beyond the arc on 5 of 10 shooting.
• Dylan Harper: The rookie scored 16 points and grabbed 8 rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench shooting 5 of 6 on two-point attempts.
• De'Aaron Fox: The team’s starting point guard finished with 7 points 4 rebounds 5 assists 1 steal 3 turnovers and 5 fouls in 37 minutes.

As a team San Antonio Spurs shot an efficient 9 of 24 from three-point range in the first half but managed only 2 of 19 in the second half. The team finished the game 20 of 25 from the free throw line (80.0%).

The third game of the 2026 NBA Finals was played on June 8, 2026, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The San Antonio Spurs won the game 115-111, bringing the series lead to 2-1 in favor of the New York Knicks after seven games. This matchup marked the first NBA Finals game hosted at Madison Square Garden since 1999. Additionally, with this result, the New York Knicks’ 13-game undefeated streak, the second-longest in their NBA playoff history, came to an end. The Knicks’ previous loss had occurred on April 23 against the Atlanta Hawks.

Due to the attendance of United States President Donald Trump, extraordinary security measures were implemented around Madison Square Garden and its surroundings. Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to attend an NBA game since Barack Obama in 2015, and the first sitting president to attend a Finals game. The New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Secret Service established a broad security perimeter around the arena, bounded by West 30th Street to West 35th Street and Sixth Avenue to Eighth Avenue. Under the security protocol, bags were prohibited from entering the stadium, and all ticketed spectators underwent magnetometer screening in accordance with Transportation Security Administration (TSA) standards.

^{Third Game: New York Knicks 111-115 San Antonio Spurs (AA)}

Due to the security perimeter, watch party events held outside the arena during previous Knicks playoff games were canceled or relocated to more distant areas such as Bryant Park. It was reported that during the event at Bryant Park, fights broke out among the crowd, bottles were thrown at police, and several individuals were arrested for disorderly conduct and assault on officers.

Ticket prices on the black market reached astronomical levels, with general admission tickets exceeding $5,000, and two courtside (celebrity row) tickets sold for $1 million each in an auction. The auction was jointly won by the law firm Gibson Dunn and the private equity firm Veritas Capital, with proceeds donated to the Garden of Dreams Foundation. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani stated he paid approximately $1,000 to attend the game standing.

^{Third Game: New York Knicks 111-115 San Antonio Spurs (AA)}

President Donald Trump watched the game from the private box of Knicks owner James Dolan, behind bulletproof glass, alongside NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, his granddaughter Kai Trump, advisor Boris Epshteyn, Lee Zeldin, and Dan Scavino. Trump was loudly booed by the crowd when his image was displayed on the large screen during the national anthem.

Notable attendees included Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Ben Stiller, Tracy Morgan, Fat Joe, Derek Jeter, Eli Manning, Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, DJ Khaled, Jay-Z, Jon Hamm, and Mariska Hargitay. Rapper Cardi B performed during the halftime show.

The San Antonio Spurs started the game strongly, building a 14-5 lead early on the strength of Victor Wembanyama’s scoring. The Spurs made 9 of their first 11 shots, extending their lead into double digits and closing the first quarter with a 33-22 advantage. During his first nine minutes on the court, Wembanyama recorded 9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks. A tense physical exchange occurred between Wembanyama and Knicks player Jalen Brunson during the quarter, but no fouls were called. Additionally, Knicks player Josh Hart was assessed a technical foul for pushing Spurs player Luke Kornet during a possession.

^{Third Game: New York Knicks 111-115 San Antonio Spurs (AA)}

In the second quarter, the New York Knicks gained offensive momentum and outscored the Spurs 42-24 in the period. With an 11-2 run with 8:12 remaining, the Knicks tied the game at 40-38 and took their first lead of the game on a three-pointer by Jalen Brunson. The Knicks closed the half on a 10-1 run to enter the locker room leading 64-57. In the first half, Jalen Brunson scored 15 points, OG Anunoby scored 17, and Josh Hart scored 13. For the Spurs, rookie Stephon Castle was the standout performer, scoring 18 points on 7-of-8 shooting.

After halftime, the San Antonio Spurs responded with a potent offensive surge in the third quarter, scoring 15 points on their first eight possessions to reclaim the lead. The Spurs produced 35 points on 22 possessions during the quarter, marking the most efficient offensive quarter of the series. In a back-and-forth battle throughout the period, Devin Vassell drew attention with three three-pointers, and the quarter ended with the Spurs leading 92-91.

^{Third Game: New York Knicks 111-115 San Antonio Spurs (AA)}

The final quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to score. Victor Wembanyama carried the Spurs’ offense with 10 points in the period. With 1 minute and 53 seconds remaining, Stephon Castle’s three-pointer gave the Spurs a 111-104 lead. As the final minute began, Jalen Brunson’s step-back three-pointer cut the deficit to three points. With 12 seconds left, De'Aaron Fox made a crucial free throw to extend the lead to 113-108. OG Anunoby responded with a three-pointer with six seconds left to narrow the gap to two points (113-111), but Stephon Castle sealed the game with two made free throws after a tactical foul, giving the Spurs a 115-111 victory.

• Victor Wembanyama: One of the game’s top scorers, Wembanyama recorded 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 blocks, shooting 11-of-18 from the field (61.1%). With this performance, Wembanyama became the second-youngest player in Spurs playoff history to record 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a Finals game, after Magic Johnson.
• Stephon Castle: Finished with 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists, making critical free throws in the final moments of the game.
• Dylan Harper: Scored 13 points on 5-of-18 shooting from beyond the arc.
• De'Aaron Fox: Finished with 12 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block despite shooting only 4-of-14 from the field, but made a crucial mid-range shot with 12 seconds remaining.
• Julian Champagnie: Scored 12 points in the game.
• Devin Vassell: Scored all 11 of his points in the third quarter.

• Jalen Brunson: Recorded 32 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists on 11-of-25 shooting, but spent portions of the game on the bench due to foul trouble.
• OG Anunoby: Scored 28 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and recorded 2 blocks, serving as one of the team’s leading scorers.
• Josh Hart: Posted a line of 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.
• Karl-Anthony Towns: Had a more limited offensive performance compared to previous games, finishing with 11 points and 8 rebounds.
• Jordan Clarkson: Contributed 10 points and 3 rebounds off the bench.
• Mikal Bridges: Finished with 2 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists after dealing with foul issues.

Following the game, New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown criticized the officiating, citing an imbalance in free throw opportunities during the second half. Brown noted that the San Antonio Spurs attempted 24 free throws while the Knicks managed only 8, calling the disparity unfair. Three fouls called against the Knicks in the first 64 seconds of the fourth quarter sparked loud boos from the crowd, with fans chanting “Referees, you’re biased!”

A controversial play occurred in the final minutes: after Keldon Johnson pushed Mitchell Robinson, Robinson was initially called for a foul on Victor Wembanyama during a three-point attempt. The call was reviewed via challenge and overturned, with the foul instead assessed to Johnson.