New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs Announce NBA Finals Schedule
The NBA Finals tip off on June 3 in San Antonio, where the Spurs host the Knicks. New York is vying for its first title in 27 years, while Victor Wembanyama looks to lead the Spurs to a championship.
History repeats itself: the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs have released the schedule for the NBA Finals.
Main Event
In the early hours of May 31, 2026, in Oklahoma City, Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals determined the final participant in the decisive NBA playoff series. The San Antonio Spurs, in a tense battle, overcame the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, winning 111-103. This victory allowed the Spurs to win the series 4-3 and reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
Thus, the Finals matchup is officially set. From the West, the San Antonio Spurs, led by the phenomenal Victor Wembanyama, who at just 22 has already become the face of the league. From the East, the New York Knicks, who will compete for the NBA championship for the first time in 27 years.
The Finals, starting June 3, 2026, in San Antonio, are already being called historic. It's not just about the star-studded rosters, but also a mystical coincidence. Exactly 27 years ago, in 1999, these same teams met in the Finals. Back then, San Antonio, led by a young Tim Duncan, swept the Knicks, winning the series 4-1. Nearly three decades later, history gets a chance for a rematch, but with new heroes.
The official schedule for the Finals, which follows a 2-3-2 format (two games in San Antonio, then three in New York, and if necessary, two more in Texas), has also been released. The first two games will be played at the Spurs' home arena, the AT&T Center, then the series moves to the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York.
Details and Statistics
According to the official NBA press release, the Finals schedule (times are Moscow time) is as follows:
- Game 1: June 4 (03:30 MSK) — San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
- Game 2: June 6 (03:30 MSK) — San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
- Game 3: June 9 (03:30 MSK) — New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
- Game 4: June 11 (03:30 MSK) — New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
- Game 5*: June 14 (03:30 MSK) — San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
- Game 6*: June 17 (03:30 MSK) — New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
- Game 7*: June 20 (03:30 MSK) — San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks
*if necessary
The teams' paths to the Finals differed dramatically in drama. The New York Knicks looked like a ruthless machine in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Tom Thibodeau's team swept through opponents: in the first round, they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks (4-2), in the second, the Boston Celtics (4-1), and in the conference finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers, winning the series 4-0.
San Antonio, on the other hand, reached the Finals through hell. The Spurs went through the Los Angeles Clippers (4-1), the Denver Nuggets (4-3), and in seven games broke the resistance of the defending champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder. It is this victory in Game 7 over the Thunder (111-103), which decided the Finals berth, that gives Gregg Popovich's team confidence heading into the decisive stage.
The leaders' statistics are impressive. Victor Wembanyama, named MVP of the Western Conference Finals, posted fantastic numbers in the series against Oklahoma City: averaging 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game. The French center also achieved a unique feat comparable to the greats: he became the third player in NBA history after Shaquille O'Neal and Hakeem Olajuwon to record 175+ points and 15+ blocks in a single conference finals series, and the youngest to do so.
Bookmaker analysts have already assessed the teams' chances. San Antonio is considered the favorite: the odds for the Spurs to win are 1.45 (about 65% probability), while the New York Knicks are at 2.75 (35% probability). In Western bookmakers, the gap is even wider: San Antonio is at -205, and the Knicks at +170. This difference is due not only to Wembanyama's class but also to how difficult the Knicks' path was (despite the sweep in the East Finals, the opponents were less star-studded).
Context and Significance
This Finals is not just a title game. It's a clash of eras and ghosts of the past. For the New York Knicks, the wait has been agonizing: the club from the world's most media-centric city hasn't raised the trophy since 1973, when legendary Willis Reed and Walt Frazier brought the team its second championship. Since then, the Knicks have endured years of humiliation, failed contracts, and coaching carousels. Their last Finals appearance was in 1999 — and they were stopped by none other than San Antonio.
For San Antonio, returning to the Finals is also symbolic. The club won championships in 1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2014. That was the era of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. After the legends left and a short rebuild, the Spurs are back on top — and again with a dominant big man. Wembanyama is compared to Duncan, and the comparison is justified: if Duncan came into the league as a ready-made professional at 21, Wembanyama at 22 shows no less phenomenal play and leadership qualities.
Interestingly, the teams have already faced each other this season at a high level. In the final of the so-called NBA Cup in December 2025, the Knicks and Spurs met in the championship game, and New York emerged victorious, 124-113. Additionally, in two regular-season games, the teams split wins: first San Antonio won, then New York. Thus, the season series stands at 2-1 in favor of the Knicks, but as they say, the playoffs are a different story.
What's Next / Next Game Preview
The first game of the Finals will take place this Wednesday, June 3 (local time), or on the night of June 4 Moscow time. The game will be held in San Antonio at the AT&T Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM Eastern Time, which corresponds to 3:30 AM on June 4 Moscow time.
Tom Thibodeau's team faces a difficult tactical challenge. The main question of the entire series: how to defend against Victor Wembanyama? Analysts agree that the Spurs will use their center as a rim protector, but Wembanyama is also dangerous from mid-range and beyond the arc. Another tactical fork for Gregg Popovich is whom to put on Karl-Anthony Towns. If Wembanyama guards KAT, the Spurs lose perimeter help; if Wembanyama is placed on Josh Hart, Towns will have a lot of space in the paint.
For the Knicks, the key to victory will be perimeter defense. New York leads all playoff teams in three-point percentage, overall field goal percentage, and points per game. If they can get hot and turn the game into a three-point contest, the Spurs might not have enough foot speed. Additionally, the Knicks are aggressive in steals — they are in the top 3 in the playoffs for steals, while San Antonio is only middle of the pack in turnovers.
Editorial Prediction
This Finals is an absolute coin flip that could be decided by one random injury or one controversial referee call. However, after analyzing the statistics and playing style, several factors stand out.
Why San Antonio is the favorite. First and foremost, it's the experience of going through the gauntlet of seven-game series. The Spurs just eliminated the defending champion, while the Knicks haven't faced real resistance in the East. In the playoffs, this plays a huge role: a team that has been through the meat grinder with Denver and Oklahoma City is ready for any twists. Secondly, Wembanyama is a player who changes the game on both ends of the floor. His 2.7 blocks per game in the playoffs are not just numbers; they are psychological pressure on the Knicks' offensive players.
Why the Knicks could surprise. Thibodeau's team is not just stars (Brunson, Towns, Anunoby) but incredible team chemistry. The Knicks swept through the East without a single loss in the conference finals, and they had more rest than San Antonio, which played a Game 7. Fresh legs could play a trick on the aging Gregg Popovich and his heavy big men. Moreover, the Knicks have already beaten San Antonio this season in the NBA Cup final, which gives them confidence.
Key matchup. It all comes down to the battle of the bigs: Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Victor Wembanyama. KAT is a great stretch-5 who can stretch the defense, but he is inferior to the Frenchman in wingspan and leaping ability. If Wembanyama forces Towns to play tough under the rim, foul, and knocks him out of the game, the Knicks will be left without their main offensive weapon. If Towns hits his threes, drawing Wembanyama out of the paint, Jalen Brunson will have lanes to drive.
Prediction. The series is expected to be long and grueling, at least six games. Despite experts' confidence in San Antonio (odds 1.45), the New York Knicks are too good to lose in a sweep. However, playoff battle experience and Wembanyama's phenomenal first high-stakes season should bring the Spurs their sixth title in franchise history. Prediction: San Antonio wins the series 4-2. But even if the Knicks pull it off, it would be the greatest sporting event in New York in the last 50 years.
— Editorial Team
