2026 NBA Finals Preview: How To Watch Spurs vs. Knicks With Sling
The NBA will crown a new champion as the San Antonio Spurs take on the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals. Here's a preview and how to watch with Sling TV.
Start spreading the news: In a rematch of the 1999 championship, the San Antonio Spurs will face the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Finals.
The two teams had very different paths to the Championship. The Knicks’ run can be summarized in a single word: Dominance. Since falling behind 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round, the Knicks have reeled off an astonishing 11-straight wins, including sweeps against the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers. The streak alone is impressive, but what makes it truly historic is the fact that New York has won the games by an average of 23.8 points. Per ESPN, that’s the best point differential EVER over an 11-game stretch, playoffs or regular season.
The Spurs had to work a bit harder to get to the Finals, but their achievement is just as impressive. After dispatching the Portland Trail Blazers and Minnesota Timberwolves in the first two rounds, San Antonio faced an Oklahoma City team that hadn’t lost a single playoff game entering the Western Conference Finals. But the Spurs knocked off the defending champions in 7 games, with 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama winning MVP honors. Since drafting Wemby No. 1 overall in 2023, the young Spurs have completely rebuilt themselves into a championship contender.
Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals is scheduled for Wednesday, June 3 at 8:30pm ET on ABC. Here’s a preview of both teams, plus how to watch the full series with Sling. To watch the NBA Finals on ABC in designated markets with Sling, use the link below to subscribe to Sling Select.
How to Watch the 2026 NBA Finals with Sling
https://youtu.be/YGLQb5UVh_I?si=T4STnL6v5DIIpAOS
The 2026 NBA Finals will air exclusively on ABC, which is available with Sling with a monthly subscription to Sling Blue or Sling Select in the markets listed below:
If you live in New York City, you can cheer on the Knicks and catch the Stanley Cup Final by subscribing to Sling Select or Sling Blue/Orange + Blue. Use the link below to subscribe to Sling Select today!
What is the NBA Finals Schedule?
The NBA Finals begin on Wednesday, June 3. Here is the full 7-game schedule:
June 3: NBA Finals 2026 Game 1 – New York 105, San Antonio 95
June 5: NBA Finals 2026 Game 2 – New York 105, San Antonio 104
June 8: NBA Finals 2026 Game 3 – San Antonio 115, New York 111
June 10: NBA Finals 2026 Game 4 – San Antonio 106, New York 107
June 13: NBA Finals 2026 Game 5 – New York 94, San Antonio 90
Knicks Win 4-1
New York Knicks Preview
https://youtu.be/dLslCWu3vjo?si=pTmsHe0jA11lYLzL
The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, seeking to end a 53-year championship drought. Their path to the Finals started with a slight scare, as they fell behind 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks in the first round. However, New York quickly flipped the script, rattling off 11 consecutive victories to win the final three games against Atlanta before pulling off dominant back-to-back sweeps over the Philadelphia 76ers in the semifinals and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Head coach Mike Brown relies on a deep, versatile rotation to overwhelm opponents. The Knicks' starting lineup is spearheaded by star point guard Jalen Brunson and features his former Villanova teammates, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. Elite two-way wing OG Anunoby rounds out the perimeter, while spacing and playmaking big man Karl-Anthony Towns anchors the center position. New York also boasts a highly effective bench unit, utilizing players like rebounding machine Mitchell Robinson, sharpshooter Landry Shamet, defensive pest Jose Alvarado, and guard Miles McBride to maintain relentless pressure even when the starters rest.
Statistically, New York is entering the Finals on a historically dominant run. During their 11-game winning streak to close out the Eastern Conference, the Knicks outscored their opponents by a staggering 262 points—the highest point differential over an 11-game span in the 80-year history of the NBA, including both regular season and playoff games. Overall, they hold a +271 point differential across 14 playoff games, which is the highest scoring margin for any team entering the Finals in NBA history. The team's offense has been an unstoppable force, posting a blistering 123.3 offensive rating, the highest intraconference mark by an East champion since the current playoff format began.
3 Knicks Players to Watch
- Jalen Brunson: The undisputed engine of the Knicks, Brunson has carried the offensive load with incredible consistency. He enters the Finals averaging 26.9 points and 6.6 assists in 36.1 minutes per game during the playoffs. His ability to hunt mismatches, score in isolation, and hit clutch shots will be heavily relied upon against the Spurs' top-ranked defense.
- OG Anunoby: The ultimate 3-and-D weapon for New York, Anunoby is averaging 21.4 points per game in the postseason. He has been incredibly efficient, shooting 61.9% from the field and a blistering 53.8% from three-point range. His versatility as a perimeter lockdown defender will be vital for the Knicks on the other end of the floor.
- Karl-Anthony Towns: Towns adds a unique tactical dimension to the Knicks' offense through his shooting and passing. He is averaging 17.4 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in the playoffs. His ability to space the floor and act as a secondary facilitator will be essential in trying to pull the Spurs' elite rim protector, Victor Wembanyama, away from the basket.
San Antonio Spurs Preview
https://youtu.be/VUeJQbd0hug?si=UEbHlu0Zyq53XDkK
The San Antonio Spurs are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, seeking to capture the sixth championship in franchise history. After finishing the regular season with a 62-20 record to earn the No. 2 seed in the West, the Spurs dispatched the Portland Trail Blazers in five games and the Minnesota Timberwolves in six games. They then faced their ultimate test in the Western Conference Finals against the top-seeded, defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, pulling off a thrilling 111-103 Game 7 victory on the road to punch their ticket to the Finals.
Head coach Mitch Johnson, in his first full season after taking over for the legendary Gregg Popovich, relies on a highly talented young core mixed with timely veteran acquisitions. The starting lineup is anchored by the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year, Victor Wembanyama, alongside a dynamic backcourt featuring veteran point guard De'Aaron Fox and 2025 Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle. Wings Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie round out the starting five, while the Spurs boast a deep, impactful bench that includes Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson, standout rookie guard Dylan Harper, and veteran big man Luke Kornet.
Statistically, the Spurs are defying their lack of experience. At an average age of just 25.06 years old, they are the second-youngest team to ever reach the NBA Finals. San Antonio has leaned heavily on its elite defense throughout this run, posting a stifling 102.2 defensive rating that ranks first among all playoff teams. Additionally, the Spurs have brought plenty of firepower, boasting a stellar +15.9 point differential in the playoffs and catching fire from the perimeter, which included leading all playoff teams with a 41.8% three-point shooting mark in the first round.
3 Spurs Players to Watch
- Victor Wembanyama: The 22-year-old phenom just won Western Conference Finals MVP and is putting together a historic postseason run. Through 17 playoff games, Wembanyama is averaging 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 3.5 blocks per game while shooting 51.0% from the field and 37.0% from three-point range. His gravity as a rim protector and unique offensive skillset will be the ultimate test for the Knicks' offense.
- Stephon Castle: The second-year guard has been a revelation for the Spurs, taking on massive two-way responsibilities. Entering the conference finals, he was second on the team in scoring (19.9 PPG) and led the team with 6.1 assists per game, while also playing elite point-of-attack defense. He recently showcased his defensive prowess by holding two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to just 41% shooting in the Western Conference Finals.
- De'Aaron Fox: Acquired via trade, the veteran point guard provides crucial experience and late-clock shot creation for this young roster. He has been highly effective in closing out series, dropping 28 points in Game 4 and 21 in Game 5 against Minnesota, and providing a steadying veteran presence with 15 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals in the Game 7 clincher over the Thunder.
San Antonio vs. New York Odds
Somewhat surprisingly, DraftKings has the Spurs as heavy favorites two days before the Finals begin. Currently, San Antonio has -205 odds to win the Finals, with the Knicks getting +170 odds. Still, Vegas sees this as being a long series, as the odds for either team to win in 7 games sits at +190, compared to +225 for six games and +275 for five games.
If you’re looking to bet Finals MVP, Victor Wembanyama is the overwhelming favorite at -185, followed by Jalen Brunson at +210, Karl-Anthony Townes at +2000, and OG Anunoby at +4000.