The NBA Finals tips off at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, as the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a best-of-seven series. The matchup serves as a rematch of the 1999 NBA Finals, when San Antonio defeated New York in five games.
New York, arguably the league’s biggest market, is looking to end a 53-year championship drought after a historic postseason run. The Knicks swept both the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers, winning 11 consecutive playoff games entering the Finals.
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San Antonio’s path to the Finals has been equally impressive. After finishing 13th in the Western Conference one season ago, the Spurs improved from 34 wins to 62, tying for the ninth-largest single-season turnaround in NBA history. Despite featuring a young roster and a second-year head coach, San Antonio has returned to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
While much of the spotlight will be on Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, several other players could prove to be pivotal X-factors throughout the series.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MAY 10: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks looks on after his teams 144-114 over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Xfinity Mobile Arena on May 10, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Knicks won the series 4-0. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
For the past two seasons, Towns has served as the Robin to Brunsons Batman, helping elevate one of the NBA’s most iconic franchises back into title contention.
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Although his scoring numbers have dipped slightly during the postseason due to fewer shot attempts, Towns has expanded his role as a facilitator, averaging six assists per game. His ability to create offense for teammates could be crucial against a Spurs defense anchored by Wembanyama.
Towns has also delivered on the defensive end, averaging at least one steal and one block in every playoff series while shooting just under 50% from 3-point range. Acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in September of 2024, Towns has exceeded expectations and provided New York with a versatile offensive weapon capable of impacting the game in multiple ways.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) dunks over Oklahoma City Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein (55) during Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Oklahoma City won 122-113.
Since being selected fourth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, Stephon Castle has emerged as a cornerstone of San Antonio’s young core.
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His two-way ability could be one of the Spurs’ biggest advantages against New York’s backcourt. Through 18 playoff games, Castle has averaged 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds while routinely taking on the opponent’s toughest perimeter assignment.
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks works against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks works against Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks reacts after scoring a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Paul George #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers drives around Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks drives around Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Mitchell Robinson #23 and Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks defend Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks drives around Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Mikal Bridges #25 of the New York Knicks dunks against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Josh Hart #3 of the New York Knicks falls to the court after a play during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Head coach Nick Nurse of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the second quarter of a game against the New York Knicks in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Head coach Mike Brown of the New York Knicks looks on during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Spike Lee looks on during the second quarter of a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Jimmy Fallon reacts during the second quarter of a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Actor Timothée Chalamet looks on during the second quarter of a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots a lay up against the New York Knicks during the second half in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Og Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks shoots the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers \during the first half in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers works against Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks during the second quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks gras a rebound as Kelly Oubre Jr. #9 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on during the second quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks dribbles during the second quarter of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
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76ers vs. Knicks NBA playoffs second round in photos
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 04: Vj Edgecombe #77 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks in front of Karl-Anthony Towns #32 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game One of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 04, 2026 in New York City.
(Al Bello, Getty Images)
Castle spent much of the postseason guarding players such as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray and Deni Avdija. Despite being just a second-year guard, he continues to establish himself as one of the league’s premier young two-way players and we be tasked with Brunson.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 06: OG Anunoby #8 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter in Game Two of the Second Round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on May 06, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
OG Anunoby may not be the most vocal player on the court or to the media, but his impact is impossible to ignore.
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After missing two games in the Eastern Conference Semifinals with a hamstring injury, Anunoby returned at full strength and played a major role in New York’s run through the Eastern Conference Finals.
At 6-foot-7 and 240 pounds, Anunoby possesses the strength and versatility to defend nearly every position on the floor. At times during this series, he could find himself matched up against the 7-foot-5 Wembanyama. He has averaged two steals and one block during the postseason while ranking second on the Knicks in scoring.
Averaging 19 points and seven rebounds per game, Anunoby has become a physical presence reminiscent of former Knicks standouts Charles Oakley and Anthony Mason. When he contributes offensively, his defensive intensity often rises with it, making him one of New York’s most valuable players.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – MAY 28: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center on May 28, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas.
Despite being a rookie, Dylan Harper has played with the poise of a veteran throughout the 2026 postseason.
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The Rutgers University product was selected second overall in the 2025 NBA Draft and steadily carved out a significant role in San Antonio’s rotation. Whether coming off the bench or starting, Harper has provided a spark that has energized the Spurs throughout their playoff run.
His averages of 13 points, five rebounds and three assists only tell part of the story. As the leader of the second unit, Harper has helped stabilize San Antonio’s pace and has consistently used his size and athleticism to create opportunities on both ends of the floor.
At just 20 years old, Harper already commands respect beyond his years. Even while battling a groin strain during the Western Conference Finals, he continued to make an impact. The NBA Finals present another opportunity for the young guard to showcase his potential on the sport’s biggest stage.
May 19, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) reacts to missing a free throw against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter of game one of the eastern conference finals during the 2026 NBA playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Mitchell Robinson is the longest-tenured player in the series, having spent all eight of his NBA seasons with the Knicks.
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He has experienced the franchise’s lowest moments, including seasons in which New York failed to win 20 games. Through it all, Robinson has remained a steady presence and developed into one of the league’s most reliable interior defenders.
While his offensive game and free-throw shooting remain limitations, his offensive rebounding and rim protection off the bench could play a significant role if the Knicks hope to capture their first championship since 1973.
On May 28, three days after the Eastern Conference Finals concluded, Robinson suffered a broken right pinky finger. His availability for Game 1 remains uncertain, though reports indicate he could wear a brace on his shooting hand if cleared to play. Against a generational talent like Wembanyama, New York will need as much frontcourt depth as possible. A healthy Robinson could be one of the Knicks’ most important contributors in the series.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NBA Finals 2026: 5 X-Factors who could decide Knicks vs. Spurs