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 OBrien Trophy on the line.San Antonio arrive as Western Conference champions after dethroning defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game series, while New York have stormed through the Eastern Conference playoffs and enter the Finals riding an 11-game postseason winning streak.It is a fascinating clash of styles. The Spurs are led by the generational talent of Victor Wembanyama and one of the youngest cores ever to reach the Finals.Meanwhile the Knicks are powered by the leadership and scoring brilliance of Jalen Brunson as they chase a first NBA title since 1973.It should make for a fascinating series, and a tough one to call. 101GreatGoals takes a look at the matchup in more detail.Table of ContentsWembanyama set to lead Spurs chargeBrunson heads Knicks resistanceFull 2026 NBA Finals scheduleWhere to watch the NBA Finals in the UKPredictionWembanyama set to lead Spurs chargeEverything good that the Spurs do begins and ends with Wembanyama.The 22-year-old has already established himself as one of the leagues most dominant two-way players and has elevated his game even further during the playoffs. His impact goes far beyond the box score. He protects the rim, stretches the floor, creates mismatches and changes the way opponents attack.The French superstar was named Western Conference Finals MVP after helping eliminate Oklahoma City and has been the driving force behind San Antonios rapid rise from rebuilding franchise to championship contender.New Yorks biggest challenge will be finding a way to slow him down without allowing the Spurs supporting cast to thrive.Brunson heads Knicks resistanceIf Wembanyama is the future face of the NBA, Brunson is the player carrying the hopes of New York.The Knicks captain has been outstanding throughout the postseason, not only has his scoring been top of the range, but his ability to deliver in the high-pressure moments have been what has made the Knicks so strong.Brunson will likely be targeted by San Antonios athletic perimeter defenders, but if he can break down the Spurs defence and force Wembanyama away from the basket, New York have a chance in this series.Full 2026 NBA Finals scheduleGameDateTime (BST)VenueGame 1Thursday 4 June01:30Frost Bank Center, San AntonioGame 2Saturday 6 June01:30Frost Bank Center, San AntonioGame 3Tuesday 9 June01:30Madison Square Garden, New YorkGame 4Thursday 11 June01:30Madison Square Garden, New YorkGame 5*Sunday 14 June01:30Frost Bank Center, San AntonioGame 6*Wednesday 17 June01:30Madison Square Garden, New YorkGame 7*Saturday 20 June01:30Frost Bank Center, San Antonio*If necessaryWhere to watch the NBA Finals in the UKUK viewers can watch the NBA Finals live on TNT Sports and through the NBA League Pass streaming service.League Pass offers live coverage of every game, full replays and additional camera angles, while TNT Sports will provide television coverage throughout the series.PredictionThis series feels much closer than many expected a few months ago.The Knicks have been dominant throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs and arrive with some serious momentum, experience and arguably the best clutch performer remaining in the postseason. They also won two of the three meetings against San Antonio this season, including a victory in the NBA Cup final.However, the Spurs possess the best player in the series.Wembanyamas influence on both ends of the floor is unlike anything New York have faced during this playoff run, and San Antonios supporting cast has matured quickly. Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper and DeAaron Fox have all played major 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. Topics NBA Finals New York Knicks San Antonio Spurs Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read NBA: Spurs set up finals showdown with Knicks after beating Thunder in Game 7 Mitch Fretton 31st May, 2026 Wembanyamas trust in basketball gods pays off as Spurs force Game 7 Nicholas McGee 29th May, 2026 Spurs vs Thunder Game 5: SGA drops 32 points as OKC puts Wembanyama on brink of elimination Jon Fisher 27th May, 2026 Knicks fans party like its 1999 after sweeping Cavaliers to cruise into NBA Finals Jon Fisher 26th May, 2026 NBA: San Antonio Spurs fight back to win Game 4 and level Western Conference Finals Mitch Fretton 25th May, 2026 Beer-chugging Travis Kelce and his girlfriend Taylor Swift fail to inspire Cavaliers as Knicks win 10th straight Jon Fisher 24th May, 2026
