The 2026 NBA Finals tip off on Wednesday (8:30 p.m. ET on ABC and the ESPN app), and for the eighth consecutive season we’ll have a new champion. But will it be the New York Knicks, who haven’t hung a banner in Madison Square Garden since 1973, or the San Antonio Spurs, who are looking to end a 12-year title drought?
The two teams already battled for a championship this season, with the Knicks beating the Spurs in Las Vegas to claim the NBA Cup. Now they meet for the big prize.
Which team will claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy? And who will earn Finals MVP honors? Our experts make their picks.
2026 NBA Finals coverage:
Megapreview | Storylines
Schedule | Trends
New York Knicks (3) vs. San Antonio Spurs (2)
Cory Alexander: Spurs in 6, Victor Wembanyama for MVP
David Dennis Jr.: Spurs in 7, Wembanyama
Ben Golliver: Spurs in 7, Wembanyama
Zach Kram: Spurs in 6, Wembanyama
Bobby Marks: Spurs in 5, Wembanyama
Dave McMenamin: Spurs in 7, Wembanyama
Eric Moody: Spurs in 7, Wembanyama
Ramona Shelburne: Knicks in 7, Jalen Brunson
Anthony Slater: Spurs in 6, Wembanyama
Andre’ Snellings: Spurs in 7, Wembanyama
Marc Spears: Spurs in 7, Wembanyama
Justin Tinsley, Knicks in 6, Brunson
Ohm Youngmisuk, Knicks in 7, Brunson
Champion: Spurs 10, Knicks 3
MVP: Victor Wembanyama 10, Jalen Brunson 3
