NBA Basketball 3 Days

Last updated: June 3, 2026, 8:55 AM ET

NBA Finals Preview

The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs open the NBA Finals Wednesday with the Spurs installed as slight favorites despite New York's overwhelming support from bettors, who have placed nearly 50% of all wagers on the Knicks at Draft Kings. Jalen Brunson prepares for stingy coverage from rookie Stephon Castle, whom the All-Star guard praised as a "great defender" while the Knicks listed center Mitchell Robinson as questionable with a broken finger. Three decades after Shaquille O'Neal led his team to the Finals in his third season, Victor Wembanyama chases his own championship milestone following his 22-point, seven-rebound performance that eliminated the defending champion Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals.

Player Rankings & Matchups

ESPN's Finals player rankings place Brunson and Wembanyama at the top of their respective teams, with the Knicks' point guard entering the series as the offensive focal point while San Antonio relies on their generational center to anchor both ends. The Spurs lean on organizational legends as Gregg Popovich remains a trusted resource despite not being on the sideline for the first time in franchise history, while New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed an executive order repealing bedtimes for the city's children during the Knicks' championship run. Court design returns to 29-year-old aesthetics with the Larry O'Brien Trophy painted at midcourt and script "The Finals" lettering flanking the hardwood, marking the first such appearance since 1996.

Draft & Offseason Outlook

NBA draft rankings reshuffled significantly after the college withdrawal deadline, with ESPN releasing pro comparisons for the top 12 prospects in the 2026 class ranging from best-case ceilings to realistic floors. The Orlando Magic hired Sean Sweeney from San Antonio as their new head coach, tapping the 41-year-old associate head coach to lead a young roster through its next phase. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City's financial future hangs in balance as extensions kick in and the tax bill threatens to soar for a budding dynasty that fell short of defending its Western Conference crown.

International Basketball

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander committed to Team Canada for the next three summers, headlining a 23-player roster that conspicuously excluded Jamal Murray and Andrew Wiggins. Despite capturing his second consecutive MVP award, Gilgeous-Alexander called the season a failure after the Thunder's early exit denied them a Finals rematch with Boston. On the free agent front, league executives weighed in on Austin Reaves and several other intriguing names including Jalen Duren and Mitchell Robinson, whose offseason decisions will shape multiple roster constructions.

Business & Legal Affairs

The Dallas Mavericks secured preliminary arena rights for a potential new venue outside downtown Dallas, marking a significant shift from their 21-year tenure at Reunion Arena and current home at American Airlines Center. Joseph Sanberg, co-founder of the bankrupt Aspiration bank at the center of an NBA investigation into the Clippers' business practices, received a 14-year federal prison sentence Monday, adding legal drama to ongoing ownership questions. The league's offseason guide maps out draft strategy for eliminated teams including the Cavaliers, Pistons, Lakers and Warriors as they prepare for pivotal summer moves.

Series Implications

The Knicks-Spurs matchup promises revealing storylines about defensive schemes, three-point shooting variance, and whether New York's playoff hot streak can continue against San Antonio's methodical style. Wembanyama's childhood dream materializes on the sport's biggest stage, while Brunson seeks to validate his ascent by leading the Knicks to their first championship since 1973. The Spurs' victory moved them closer to that goal, with Wembanyama's 22-point effort in Game 7 serving as a preview of the offensive burden he'll carry against a veteran-laden Knicks squad that has captured the imagination of New York's betting public.