PHOENIX — There are a few familiar faces on each side of the 2026 NBA Finals for Phoenix Suns fans.<\/p>\n
Former fan favorite Mikal Bridges has played a crucial role in helping the New York Knicks get to the Finals, while Landry Shamet<\/a> has developed into a key contributor off the bench the last couple series.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n On the San Antonio Spurs<\/a> side, former Suns centers Bismack Biyombo, who was another fan favorite in Phoenix from 2021-23, and Mason Plumlee<\/a> will be looking to get their first rings.<\/p>\n Multiple Suns Players on Opposite Sides of NBA Finals<\/p>\n Bridges and Biyombo were loved during their time in Phoenix and developed a great bond with each other.<\/p>\n Bridges helped the Suns reach the 2021 NBA Finals, while Biyombo and Shamet joined the team the following season.<\/p>\n Plumlee was Phoenix’s backup center during the 2024-25 season and serves more as of a veteran presence along with Biyombo on San Antonio<\/a>.<\/p>\n The most notable name is Bridges, who quickly established himself among the most beloved Suns players after being drafted 10th overall in 2018 before being traded to the Brooklyn Nets<\/a> in Feb. 2023 as part of the package for Kevin Durant<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The Knicks then took a huge swing trading five first-round picks for Bridges in 2024, and after a slow start to the playoffs, he has been one of the biggest driving factors of New York winning 11 games in a row to reach the Finals.<\/p>\n Shamet, who had a disappointing tenure with the Suns, really stepped up lately and is shooting 81% from 3-point range over the past six games.<\/p>\n “(Shamet) is just a true professional. Mentally, not playing and going out there and ends up finishing the game … That’s just a true professional. He works so hard, just got that mental killer in him,” Bridges said of Shamet earlier this postseason.<\/p>\n Both Bridges and Shamet could be X-factors for the Knicks if they want to help deliver New York its first championship since 1973.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Biyombo and Plumlee likely won’t play outside of garbage time, but are valuable locker room presences as San Antonio looks for its sixth championship.<\/p>\n Plumlee signed with the Spurs in late February after being bought out by the Charlotte Hornets<\/a>, while Biyombo has been with San Antonio the last 1.5 seasons and has played a similar role with the Spurs that he did with the Suns, serving as a mentor for several players.<\/p>\n “It’s a great group of young guys just to be around and help them out,” Biymobo said before the season (via San Antonio Express News)<\/a>. “I think when you enjoy doing what you do, then you can’t call it work. And I enjoy working with good people.”<\/p>\n Now, these four former Suns players will have a chance at winning their first NBA championship.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n