Knicks enter NBA Finals as historic underdogs against Spurs
Despite being the biggest underdogs in NBA history to reach the title series, the Knicks hold a historic point differential and significant rest advantage over the Spurs.
The New York Knicks are set to face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday night, entering the series as +160 underdogs against the Spurs, who are listed at -190. This marks the first championship series meeting between the two franchises since 1999. The Knicks, who opened the playoffs at +2200 to win the title, are the biggest underdogs in NBA history to reach the championship, surpassing any champion over the last 40 years.
New York defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, sweeping their last two opponents and winning 11 straight playoff games. The Knicks hold a +271 point differential entering the Finals, the largest in NBA history, averaging a 19.7-point margin of victory. This historic performance comes despite being the East's third seed and facing a conference widely regarded as weaker than the West, a dynamic that has drawn criticism from figures such as Draymond Green.
The Spurs, identified as the second-youngest team in league history to reach the Finals, advanced by defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder in a seven-game series. While the Knicks have had eight days of rest since clinching the Eastern Conference, the Spurs have played a more grueling path. The disparity in rest and opponent strength has led some observers to view the series as less competitive than the odds suggest, though statistical factors may favour New York.
Key personnel matchups are expected to define the series. A Knicks victory would make Jalen Brunson the shortest player (6-foot-2 or under) to lead a champion in playoff scoring since Isiah Thomas in 1990. For the Spurs, a win would see Victor Wembanyama join Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kawhi Leonard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo as players to win both Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP.
The Knicks have bolstered their roster with key acquisitions, including OG Anunoby, who has been the primary defender limiting Wembanyama's efficiency in half-court matchups. Karl-Anthony Towns is also expected to play a crucial role in stretching the Spurs' defence. Game 1 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio.
