NBA Finals 2026: Knicks and Spurs set for historic rematch in San Antonio
With the Spurs favoured by 4.5 points and SportsLine’s Mike Barner predicting the over on total points, the stage is set for the first Finals meeting between the franchises since 1999.
The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs are scheduled to commence the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday night, marking the first championship series meeting between the two franchises since 1999. Tip-off from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. This encounter represents the 35th time in NBA history that a Finals series has featured a return matchup, with the Spurs having defeated the Knicks in five games during their previous meeting.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Spurs enter as 4.5-point favourites over the Knicks. The over/under for total points scored is set at 218.5. The Spurs, who hold a 4-1 lead in the all-time postseason series against New York, enter the Finals as the second-seed in the Western Conference with a 62-20 record. The Knicks, the third-seed in the Eastern Conference with a 53-29 record, are 6-1 on the road this postseason.
SportsLine expert Mike Barner has released his betting predictions for Game 1, leaning towards the over on total points. Barner, who is currently on a 141-101 run on NBA picks and has returned $2,097 for every $100 wagered during that span, cited strong offensive averages and recent trends in head-to-head meetings as key factors.
Barner’s analysis highlights that the over has hit in seven of the past 10 head-to-head meetings, seven of the last 10 New York games, and eight of the last 10 San Antonio matchups. During the 2025-26 regular season, the Spurs averaged 119.8 points per game, ranking third-best in the NBA, while the Knicks averaged 116.5 points, ranking 10th.
Historical data from San Antonio games indicates the over is 8-4 when the line is between 217 and 220, and 2-1 in three head-to-head meetings during the 2025-26 season. Barner has also identified an x-factor influencing the spread, though the specific pick remains detailed on the SportsLine platform.
The series features significant betting handles on star players, with Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama attracting substantial wagering attention. At BetMGM, Brunson holds the highest-handled prop bet at 24.2%, while Wembanyama holds the second-highest at 22.5%.
Statistical milestones loom for both franchises. If the Knicks win, Brunson would join Isiah Thomas, Tony Parker, and Steph Curry as the only players 6-foot-2 or shorter to lead an NBA champion in playoff scoring. For the Spurs, a victory would see Wembanyama join Michael Jordan, Hakeem Olajuwon, Kawhi Leonard, and Giannis Antetokounmpo as the only players to win both NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Finals MVP.
New York last won an NBA title in 1973, while San Antonio won the 2014 crown. The Knicks have not returned to the Finals since 1999, adding to the historical weight of this Wednesday night contest.
