Experts back Spurs over Knicks in 2026 NBA Finals prediction
A broad consensus among NBA analysts sees the San Antonio Spurs defeating the New York Knicks in the 2026 championship series, with Victor Wembanyama projected as the overwhelming choice for Finals MVP.
NBA analysts have released their predictions for the 2026 NBA Finals, a matchup between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs that is scheduled to tip off on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET. The series, which will be broadcast on ABC and the ESPN app, marks the eighth consecutive season in which a different champion has been crowned.
The majority of experts favour the San Antonio Spurs to win the championship, with most predicting a series victory in either six or seven games. Only three analysts selected the New York Knicks to win the title, highlighting a significant divergence in expert opinion regarding the outcome of the series.
Victor Wembanyama is the overwhelming favourite to be named Finals MVP, receiving ten votes compared to three for Knicks guard Jalen Brunson. The individual accolades align closely with the team predictions, as eleven experts picked Wembanyama to secure the honour, while only three selected Brunson.
Specific expert predictions detail the projected path for the series. Cory Alexander, Zach Kram, and Anthony Slater selected the Spurs to win in six games, while Bobby Marks predicted a quicker five-game victory. The remaining analysts who backed San Antonio, including David Dennis Jr., Ben Golliver, Dave McMenamin, Eric Moody, Andre' Snellings, and Marc Spears, all projected a seven-game series.
The Knicks, who have not won an NBA championship since 1973 and have not hung a banner in Madison Square Garden for over 50 years, face a challenging path. The Spurs are seeking to end a 12-year title drought. The two teams have already faced each other in the current season, with the Knicks defeating the Spurs in Las Vegas to claim the NBA Cup earlier this year.
