New York Knicks reach 2026 NBA Finals

The New York Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, ending a 27-year absence and setting up a June series against the San Antonio Spurs. NBA.com said New York’s berth is the franchise’s ninth Finals appearance, and the league’s schedule has Game 1 set for June 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET in San Antonio. San Antonio reached the championship round after beating the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference finals. ESPN framed the matchup around Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, while NBA.com said New York is chasing its first title since 1973. (nba.com) ### How long has it been since the Knicks were here? The Knicks last reached the Finals in 1999, when they also faced the Spurs. ESPN noted that the 2026 series is a rematch of that title round, which San Antonio won 4-1 during the lockout-shortened season. NBA.com said the current run sends New York to its first Finals in 27 years and its ninth overall. (espn.com) That return follows an Eastern Conference finals sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers, according to USA Today’s playoff recap. ### Who sent the Knicks and Spurs into the Finals? (espn.com) Jalen Brunson was named the 2026 Eastern Conference finals MVP after leading New York through the East, NBA.com said. The league’s live updates page said the Knicks secured the conference title and advanced with their first Finals berth since 1999. (nba.com) Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio past Oklahoma City in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, sending the Spurs to their first NBA Finals since 2014, according to game coverage surfaced in search results. NBA.com separately highlighted the Game 7 audience, underscoring how much attention the Spurs-Thunder decider drew before the Finals matchup was set. (nba.com) ### Why is Brunson versus Wembanyama the center of the series? ESPN’s Finals preview put Brunson and Wembanyama at the center of the matchup, casting the series as a contrast between New York’s lead guard and San Antonio’s two-way centerpiece. The network said one key question is how the Knicks can slow Wembanyama while still generating enough offense through Brunson. (msn.com) NBC Sports said the teams split their regular-season series 1-1. That leaves the Finals without a clear edge from prior head-to-head results, and shifts attention to how each side handles pace, half-court scoring and Wembanyama’s defensive range. That final point is an inference based on the matchup coverage and regular-season split. (espn.com) ### Where does the series start, and what is the schedule? The NBA’s official playoff schedule lists Game 1 for Wednesday, June 3, in San Antonio. Sporting News and NBC Sports both reported a 2-2-1-1-1 format, with Games 1, 2, 5 and 7 in San Antonio and Games 3, 4 and 6 in New York, if necessary. ABC will carry the games, according to the published schedule listings. (nbcsports.com) Game 2 is set for June 5, Game 3 for June 8 at Madison Square Garden, and a potential Game 7 is scheduled for June 19 back in San Antonio. ### What happens next? June 3 is the next date on the calendar, when the Knicks open the Finals on the road at Frost Bank Center against Wembanyama and the Spurs. (nba.com) NBA.com said the series begins at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with New York seeking its first championship since 1973 and San Antonio chasing its first since 2014. (sportingnews.com)