The Path to the Finals
The 2026 NBA Finals have officially commenced, featuring a high-stakes showdown between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs. The Spurs secured their spot in the championship series after a grueling seven-game victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals. Meanwhile, the Knicks earned their first Eastern Conference title since 1999 by decisively sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers.
This matchup serves as a historic rematch. The last time the Knicks appeared in the Finals back in 1999, they were defeated by the very same franchise—the San Antonio Spurs—in a five-game series that marked the first of five championships for San Antonio.
2026 NBA Finals Schedule
Fans can follow the action throughout the series, which is broadcast on ABC. Below is the schedule for the remaining games:
- Game 2: New York at San Antonio (Friday)
- Game 3: San Antonio at New York (Monday)
- Game 4: San Antonio at New York (Wednesday)
- Game 5 (if necessary): New York at San Antonio (Saturday)
- Game 6 (if necessary): San Antonio at New York (Tuesday)
- Game 7 (if necessary): New York at San Antonio (Friday)
Conference Results Recap
Both teams displayed exceptional form to reach this stage:
- Eastern Conference: The Knicks asserted dominance throughout the playoffs, successfully navigating through the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and completing a 4-0 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the conference finals.
- Western Conference: The Spurs navigated a challenging bracket, overcoming the Portland Trail Blazers, Minnesota Timberwolves, and finally winning a hard-fought seven-game series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.