Knicks end long wait for Finals return
The New York Knicks have officially claimed the 2026 Eastern Conference crown, booking their place in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. The franchise now stands four wins away from a first championship since 1973, ending a decades-long drought.
They arrive in the Finals on an impressive 11-game playoff winning streak, having not lost since Game 3 of their first-round series against the Hawks on April 23.
Thunder-Spurs battle still undecided
On the Western side, the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs remain locked in a tightly contested 2-2 series that many believe could be a preview of the Finals itself.
Both teams finished the regular season as the league’s best, led by MVP-level stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama. However, injuries have complicated things for OKC, with Jalen Williams and Ajay Mitchell both sidelined in Game 4, impacting their offensive flow. The winner of this series will enter the Finals as a slight favorite against New York based on current odds.
Long break before Finals tip-off
While the Eastern Conference is already decided, the Knicks face a significant layoff before the championship begins, with Game 1 scheduled more than a week after their series win. The Western Conference champion will also get limited recovery time after a physically demanding series before heading into the Finals matchup with New York.
2026 NBA Finals schedule
Wednesday, June 3 – Game 1: Thunder/Spurs vs Knicks (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo)
Friday, June 5 – Game 2: Thunder/Spurs vs Knicks (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo)
Monday, June 8 – Game 3: Knicks vs Thunder/Spurs (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo)
Wednesday, June 10 – Game 4: Knicks vs Thunder/Spurs (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo)
Saturday, June 13 – Game 5*: Thunder/Spurs vs Knicks (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo)
Tuesday, June 16 – Game 6*: Knicks vs Thunder/Spurs (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo)
Friday, June 19 – Game 7*: Thunder/Spurs vs Knicks (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC/fubo)
Odds (via FanDuel, May 25)
- Thunder: +100
- Knicks: +220
- Spurs: +270
Historical context and stakes
If San Antonio advance, it would set up a rematch of the 1999 Finals, which the Spurs won in five games. That same year also marked the last NBA Finals game played at Madison Square Garden. When Game 3 is hosted at MSG, it will be the first Finals game there in 9,845 days, adding historic weight to New York’s long-awaited return to the stage.
