Samwise NBA Newsletter
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Spurs Eliminate Thunder 111-103 in Game 7, Advance to NBA Finals
The San Antonio Spurs eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-103 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals on Saturday, May 30, booking their first NBA Finals appearance since 2014. Victor Wembanyama led the Spurs with 22 points and seven rebounds, shooting 3-of-5 from three-point range. Stephon Castle added 16 points, De'Aaron Fox chipped in 15, Julian Champagnie scored 20 off the bench, and Devin Vassell sealed the victory with a late dunk. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points for Oklahoma City, but the Thunder missed critical three-pointers in the final minute. San Antonio opened and closed the series with wins in Oklahoma City.
Sources: CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Bleacher Report
Wembanyama Wins Western Conference Finals MVP Unanimously
Victor Wembanyama was unanimously named the Western Conference Finals MVP on Sunday, receiving all nine votes from the media panel. The 22-year-old center averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.4 steals, and 2.7 blocks per game across the seven-game series against Oklahoma City, shooting 48.1 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from three-point range. Wembanyama is the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year and is in only his third NBA season. San Antonio will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals beginning June 3 in San Antonio.
Sources: NBA.com, Sports Illustrated
Knicks vs. Spurs: NBA Finals Set as 27-Year Rematch of 1999 Series
The 2026 NBA Finals will feature a rematch of the 1999 championship series, with the San Antonio Spurs hosting the New York Knicks in Game 1 on Wednesday, June 3. San Antonio won the 1999 Finals in five games during the shortened lockout season. The Knicks are returning to the Finals for the first time in 27 years after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Spurs knocked out the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games. Game 3 will be the first NBA Finals game at Madison Square Garden in 9,845 days.
Sources: Fox News, Yahoo Sports
NBA Finals Preview: Brunson-Wembanyama Matchup Identified as Series-Defining Factor
ESPN's NBA Finals preview identifies the Brunson-Wembanyama matchup as the series' defining factor. The Knicks posted a 123.0 offensive rating against the Spurs in three meetings this season, including the NBA Cup championship. In those contests, Jalen Brunson averaged 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 8 assists on efficient shooting splits. Wembanyama, the 2026 Defensive Player of the Year, is most effective near the rim but less impactful when pushed to the perimeter. The Spurs enter as -196 favorites, with San Antonio's ability to slow New York's offense considered the pivotal question of the series.
Sources: ESPN, Yahoo Sports
Mitchell Robinson Plans to Play in Finals Despite Broken Pinkie, Surgery This Week
Knicks center Mitchell Robinson is managing a broken right pinkie finger on his shooting hand but plans to play in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 3, according to multiple reports. Robinson underwent surgery on the finger this week and will wear a protective brace. He sustained the injury during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Robinson was crucial to New York's playoff run, with the Knicks posting a 39.5 offensive rebounding percentage with him on the floor during the regular season compared to 29.8 when he sat. His rim protection and physicality are expected to be tested against Wembanyama throughout the series.
Sources: CBS Sports, Bleacher Report
Knicks Enter Finals With Record +271 Point Differential, Historic 11-Game Winning Streak
The New York Knicks enter the NBA Finals riding an 11-game playoff winning streak. New York is averaging 122.9 points per game during that stretch — the highest-scoring 11-game run in a single postseason since the 1985 Los Angeles Lakers, according to ESPN. The Knicks are just the seventh team in league history to sweep both the conference semifinals and conference finals in the same postseason. New York owns a +271 point differential through 14 playoff games, the largest entering the Finals in NBA history. Jalen Brunson posted a better plus-minus over his last nine postseason games than any player in NBA history.
Sources: ESPN, Sports Illustrated
NBA Finals Schedule: Game 1 Wednesday in San Antonio, Games 3-4 at MSG
The 2026 NBA Finals tips off Wednesday, June 3, at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with Game 1 in San Antonio. The Spurs hold home-court advantage after finishing with a better regular-season record than the Knicks. Game 2 is Friday, June 5 in San Antonio, also at 8:30 p.m. ET. Games 3 and 4 shift to Madison Square Garden on June 8 and June 10. NBA Finals ticket prices for Game 1 start at $1,905, while Madison Square Garden games are expected to be significantly higher, according to Yahoo Sports.
Sources: CBS Sports, Yahoo Sports
NBA Playoffs 2026
Eastern Conference
First Round
Knicks def. Hawks — 4–2
Cavaliers def. Raptors — 4–3
76ers def. Celtics — 4–3
Pistons def. Magic — 4–3
Semifinals
Knicks def. 76ers — 4–0
Cavaliers def. Pistons — 4–2
Conference Finals
Knicks def. Cavaliers — 4–0
Western Conference
First Round
Thunder def. Suns — 4–0
Spurs def. Trail Blazers — 4–1
Lakers def. Rockets — 4–2
Timberwolves def. Nuggets — 4–2
Semifinals
Thunder def. Lakers — 4–0
Spurs def. Timberwolves — 4–2
Conference Finals
Spurs def. Thunder — 4–3
NBA Finals — Starts June 3
🏆 New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
Game 1: Wed, June 3 • Game 2: Fri, June 5 • Game 3: Mon, June 8 • Game 4: Wed, June 10
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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