Spurs In Six?! - 2026 NBA Finals Prediction

We lock in a 2026 NBA Finals prediction for Knicks vs Spurs, then test it against history, roster depth, and the matchup math that actually decides playoff series. We also lay out the Knicks’ path to winning behind Jalen Brunson’s late-game shotmaking and ask the big question nobody can dodge: who solves Victor Wembanyama? 

• Picking Spurs in six and why the 1999 Finals rematch matters 
• Spurs vs Knicks history plus what the 1–1 season split really tells us 
• The Spurs’ case: Wembanyama as the mismatch, elite record, depth, home court 
• The risk factors: youth, Finals nerves, De’Aaron Fox ankle health 
• The Knicks’ case: Brunson as a top closer, Bridges Hart OG and KAT impact 
• The tactical fight: guarding Wembanyama, defending Brunson, who wins the glass 
• Championship keys: turnovers, rebounds, extra possessions, foul trouble 
• Our final questions: who wins the series and who takes Finals MVP 

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Transcript

Welcome And Quick Call To Action

SPEAKER_00 0:00

What's up everybody? It's your favorite show. It's favorite show Get a Bucket. I'm your host, Trey, and as usual. Hope you're all having a wonderful, wonderful day. Today we're going to talk about the NBA finals predictions and expectations of myself between the Knicks and the Spurs. But before we do that, please make sure to hit that like and subscribe button, comment, tell anyone who's anyone about the show. I'm trying to get the ratings up a little bit, you know, just a little bit. And you wonder where you heard this before, that's because you've been listening to me Monday through Friday at 11 o'clock AM Eastern Standard Time. So I greatly appreciate

Spurs In Six Plus 1999 Echoes

SPEAKER_00 0:28

you. Now, Knicks versus Spurs. 2026 NBA Finals, right? I'm gonna just I'm gonna just I'm gonna get right to it, ladies and gentlemen. I'm leaning Spurs in six. Okay? I'm leaning Spurs in six. Now keep in mind history does repeat itself, right? We have had the Knicks versus the Spurs in the NBA finals before. Now the last time we saw this, Spurs and Knicks was were playing in 1999. That's when they had Timmy, you know, Tim Duncan, and they acquired their first championship. Now in a very similar fashion, Victor Wembinyama looks to capture his first championship. A young Victor Wimbinyama, by the way. And we're going up against a a a Knicks team that's actually gelling pretty well. So, a couple little fun facts before I and maybe as I tell about the fun facts and the history, right, between these two teams, maybe you'll see why I lean Spurs in six. But remember that though, let's keep this in mind. Now, we just went over the finals history, right? Spurs, Knicks, they've met one time, which was that 1999 season that I talked about, right? And that was the Spurs' first title, actually. So, you know, Timmy and the Spurs first acquired their first championship in 1999, the lockout season, right? Tim Duncan, he did win finals MVP, 27 points, 14 rebounds. That's not bad. Now, keep in mind, again, we're talking about a 27-year-old rematch. It's one of the longest gaps between finals rematches in NBA history. Fun fact. The Knicks also have not appeared in an NBA final since 1999. So, like, again, this 27-year-old rematch, it does have some weight to it.

Series History And Regular Season Clues

SPEAKER_00 2:35

The Knicks are back, they're looking promising. They look like, okay, maybe they can be championship contenders or even champions. That's good for the game basketball, some people say. The Spurs also have historical, or they have historically dominated the Knicks. You know what I'm saying? Well, not just the Knicks, but the NBA low-key. Because remember, they joined the NBA in 1976, right? But between the Knicks and the Spurs, the Spurs lead the regular season series 60 to 47. Keep in mind the Knicks have been around longer. So you would think, in theory, that one of the more prominent NBA teams would be more successful than a team like the Spurs, who's more of like a small market type of type of place. Keep in mind, San Antonio, you know, again, 68 to 47. That's a 56% win rate between the meeting of the two teams. Now, we did have an NBA Cup connection, right? Like they did play this this season, if I'm not mistaken. And the Knicks did beat the Spurs that game, and Jalen Brunson was the NBA Cup MVP. We also got the battle of, let's say, stars, right? So you got Victor Winmiyama versus Jalen Brunson. Victor Wentmyama, he's just 22 years old. Jalen Brunson, he's like the veteran superstar who is leading the Knicks, right? You got a nice little, you got a nice little support in cast with Vict as well, too. Keep in mind, they're young, right? This is probably like the best young player team that we've seen, right? And keep in mind, it's it's some youth versus some, I guess, veterans, if you will. Youngish veterans, right? So kind of a little bit more as to why I think the Spurs are gonna win. Game one, right? And I'm talking about of the regular season, uh, not the playoffs yet. But game one of the regular season. Spurs do win a close one, 134 to 132. Shout out to uh Julian Champagne for dropping a career high 36 point that day, okay? And keep in mind San Antonio did have to rally back and and and and low-key still still the game. Like that, like that, that that's a real thing. The second game of the series, though, right? They only played twice because it would have been because of commitment, you know. Well, the Knicks end up winning 114 to 89. And keep in mind, ladies and gentlemen, that's quite a large delta between the two, if if I'm if I'm being honest with you. So based on that, I know some people are thinking, well, Dag, I why am I wet why do I like huh? Like you're leaning the Knicks, I mean the Spurs over the Knicks, even though the Knicks put real BTA word on these teams. And I do hear that. I genuinely do, right? But you gotta remember a close game is what happens in playoff games. And if you can come back, that means you can find a way to beat a team, and they've already done so. And keep in mind, they just beat the Spurs talking about, just beat the defending champions in the OKC Thunder. Now, when the Knicks did win, Mikhail's Bridges scored 25. Jalen Brunson only had to give up 24. You know what I'm saying? Like, and keep in mind, too, this is something to note. During that second game, the the the th I mean the Spurs were on an 11-game win streak, ladies and gentlemen. Once you hit double digits, that's putting the target on your back, which you already got a target on your back, anyways. So again, just just note that, okay? Like that did matter as well. And they completely dominated defensively. Like the n I I'm not trying to take away from the Knicks. I'm saying that's part of the way that's how I kind of view that second game. Like maybe if they were earlier on in the win streak, who knows? Maybe it would have been a little different. But we see what we see, so that's how I'm reading this. Now, again, if y'all not listening, they both split the series, season series one to one. Okay. So why do I feel like the Spurs are favored?

Why The Spurs Look Favored

SPEAKER_00 7:00

And I guess should be favored too. You know what I'm saying? Like, like, keep in mind, you got Victor Women Yama, the Unanimous D-Poy, averaging about 25, 12, and over three bucks. A lot of people say he's a matchup nightmare. Thing keep in mind too. Well, I mean, we can talk about the better regular season record, right? The Spurs finished, what, 62 and 20? Top three in offense and defense, an elite net rating, things of that nature, right? Uh, they got the deeper core, right? The deep, I'm sorry, the deeper roster. And that's got a lot of youth with it, too. So, I mean, you they're gonna be moving them puppies. But they got De'Aaron Fox, Stefan Castle, Devin Vassell, Dylan Harper, Keldon Johnson. You even got some vets out there like Harrison Barnes who can move his puppies too, and also provide a nice little spark for this team as well, as well as a veteran presence. I'm just saying, like the Spurs, they got waves of athleticism and scoring. And keep in mind, again, they also got the most, like the biggest mismatch, arguably, in NBA history. They also have home court advantage. Something like that does matter, especially let's say if they lose a game. They they can they they can steal a game away. So I I think it's okay having home court advantage, personally. Um now keep in mind, they are inexperienced. I talked about their youth, right? This is the youngest finals core in the league. Like, like several players are appearing in their first NBA finals. Hell, some of them are appearing in their first NBA season and playoff. So, because of that, like do they show up? Do they produce the way that they have been? Those are things to worry about. Also, injuries, even though De'Aaron Fox did play through, right, that that ankle injury, what happens if it flares up again, or if, or maybe he tweaked it and he just played through it again? Like, what happens if it gets either even further injured? We gotta wait and see. Again, injuries are part of the game. But I'm I'm I am noting about D Fox. And again, like I said, these young players, slightly unpredictable, so we're gonna we're gonna wait and see what happens. I don't really put too too much stock into the to the cup game personally. So I ain't gonna act like that's a that's a championship setting or anything like that. And again, keep in mind, it was a one-game series where this is a potential seven-game series.

How The Knicks Can Steal It

SPEAKER_00 9:29

So I lean I lean the Spurs because of a lot of what I just said, but I'll talk about why you can also expect the Knicks to win too. Because the Knicks can win, keeping in mind, okay? Like they got a shot, keep in mind. Jalen Brunson. He's been hooping. Like he has been getting a bucket, a lot of them. Like, I'm talking about, he's like, as of right now, he's yeah, he's gotta be viewed as one of the best NBA closers right now. Like he has consistently elevated his play, his game in the playoffs, bro. Like, it is ridiculous. And if the Knicks win, you gotta give him finals MVP, which makes me wonder where does he rank in Knicks history? That would be ridiculous. Hell, if you bring two home, you gotta put him, like you may have to throw buddy number one. I ain't even gonna hold you. Two finals MVPs, that could be tough. And keep in mind, too, he gotta compete against some really talented players, bro. Like Josh Hart, very cool. I miss Josh Hart, bro, for my Lakers. Mikhail Bridges, at one point in time, I was saying he could be all NBA, and he still could because of the game's threshold thing. I'm just saying, if enough people get injured, Mikhail, you can make the all-NBA team champ. No slap. Like, I'm I'm I'm not even being funny. And then OG Ananobi, who is turning heads, like people, like people such like Ann Hathaway. Like, there, yeah, those don't them boys is hooping. Alright, keep in mind, Jalen Brunson, I said, was hooping. Can get a bucket. Them three boys I just listed off have been hooping, can get a bucket. And keep in mind, again, you have versatile wings paired with an efficient, at least as of right now, scoring guard who can also playmate. And then you got Carl Anthony Towns, who people can talk about how he is. Like they may say, you know what, he's flamboyant or he talked funny. I don't think that's the case. I think the man can just hoop. He's been playmaking a little bit, passing the ball, getting some assists, keeping his rebounds high, and he ain't got to dominate on scoring. And here's the crazy thing I think Cat can actually play a huge role in this Spurs matchup. Keep it a stack with you. And also, again, the Knicks have been looking like they've been gelling really well. They have the more veteran players, right? They're a little more seasoned. You might expect them to kind of one want it more. And then I guess to execute more as well, too. Because remember, they've been together technically a little longer, right? They've been they've been gelling a little bit better than the Spurs. Even though the Spurs have been gelling, don't get me wrong. The Knicks have been looking in comparison to their competition, a little more dominant. Like got through three rounds and what 11 games? That ain't, or 12 games, that that that's not bad. That's not bad at all.

Key Matchups And Wemby Problem

SPEAKER_00 12:30

Yeah. Now, again, keep in mind, right? The Knicks don't really have an answer for Wimby. So that does kind of hurt them, not gonna lie to you. Like Kat is Kat's cool. I think Kat's strength, he's also seven foot. I think Kat could be a person who might be strong enough to nudge Wimby out of the way. But the problem is I don't think Mitchell is mobile enough to stop him, like, or even low-key contain him. And I'm I'm I'm I'm worried that Kat go get in foul trouble. We can say the same thing about Wimby, too, to be clear, but hell, like Kat might not even need to be guarded by Wimby. Like you could put Wimby on somebody else and then just patrol the paint or run that zone like they've been doing, like they did against OKC. So you may end up having a a forward guarding Carl Anthony Towns. Who guarding Wimby? And that's that that's gonna be very interesting to see because I hope you don't try to put Josh Hart on him because the Dunda just so they just showed you Alex Career, so while a valiant effort, that ain't a good idea, champ. But again, ladies and gentlemen, I said the Spurs, I believe, will win in game six and win another NBA championship. It's crazy I got a roof for the Spurs, man. It's crazy. But again, how do they stop Wimby? That is my question. How do they stop Jalen Brunson? Well, I think Jalen Brunson is not better than SGA. I think they both are phenomenal players, right? But Stefan Castle, Dylan Harper, I was about to say Dylan Brooks, Dylan Harper, even Devin Vassel and Joe and Justin Champagne, like even or Julian Champagne, I mean, even those boys were defending decently. But they have a bevy of players to throw at Jalen. As well as Mikhail, as well as Josh Hart, as well as OG Ananobi. And they're able to rebound with them too. So the Knicks aren't going to necessarily have that advantage. And again, those forwards that I was talking about, yeah, they can guard Carl Anthony Towns on the perimeter. And yes, Kat has been playmaking, but again, if you're forcing Kat to be a scorer now, that does take a little bit away from Jalen Brunson. And if you if if you're banking on JB, Jalen Brunson, out rebounding, Victor Wimbinyama, all right, that's cool. I don't see that happening. So again, I think

Rebounds Turnovers And Final Predictions

SPEAKER_00 15:06

that happens. I think that style of basketball is going to be shown more often. Like, could you get in transition if you're the Knicks? Sure, but guess what? The Spurs have young guns who actually play the game of basketball pretty decently. Now, the Spurs do need to make sure that they win the assist battle or at least tie or come close. I'm sorry, the turnover battle. And then meaning that they have less or like very close to and and like and even though if it's a little bit higher, right? And win the rebounding battle as well by like a respectable margin. At least like five, six rebounds, eight if you could. Ten would be lovely. And twenty just means you won the game in good fashion, good dominant fashion. But you need to win the rebounding battle battle as well as the turnover battle, or at least come close to winning. And that's how you get your championship. The first one for Victor Wimbenyama. And the Knicks, I ain't gonna lie to you, you just gotta get people in foul trouble. And and force them into turnovers. Because when they get turnovers, that means you get extra possessions, which means you get extra field opportunities, which means you get more chances to get a bucket. So again, I can see the Knicks winning this championship, ladies and gentlemen. I just expect the Spurs to win it in five. Victor Wiminyama gets his first NBA MVP. DeAaron Fox, I'm going to be curious how the team views you, whether you win or lose. Because I think there could be a like you got Stefan Castle, Dylan Harper. Eventually, them boys are gonna have to be in the starting lineup. And your forwards are looking alright right now, too. So I mean I don't know if they're gonna really lose their spot. But do you keep Darren Fox and then have Stefan and Dylan run the two and the three? That could be an interesting lineup, but then who's gonna get paid? Because someone got to take a pickup. That's all I'm saying. So again, I'm very curious how this ends up looking because the younger players, they've been showing themselves as pretty good. So, I mean, hell, Stefan just had a triple-double in the in in game one of the Western Conference Finals. I'm just saying. I mean, it was with turnovers, but still the point is that he played pretty decently. He played pretty smooth for special for his first conference final. I'm just saying, I'm curious how this team is gonna move because right now people are gonna be

Fan Talk Listener Questions And Wrap

SPEAKER_00 17:29

talking about dynasty, especially if they win. Now, if the Knicks win, I ain't gonna I'm gonna be so annoyed. It's like the Cowboys winning the championship, man. It's gonna be annoying hearing the fans because it I I ain't gonna lie. It does bring me a little pride to be able to say that the Knicks should be, the Knicks championship should be placed on a milk carton because it they've only won 2% of the amount of championships that they could have in the NBA's history. And keep in mind, they're one of the older teams, no, not older, oldest NBA teams. I'm just saying that, and they were supposed to be the highest valued franchise. That's ridiculous. But I mean, you know, y'all make it make sense for me. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end of the episode. So I'm curious who would who do you think is gonna win the NBA finals in 2026? And then also, who do y'all got for finals MVP? I'm assuming. Yeah, no, I'm actually I'm I'm I'm just curious who y'all think. And give me your answers. I would love to hear them. But ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, that does conclude the end of the episode. So please make sure to like, subscribe, comment, tell anyone who's anyone about the show. My name is Trey. I'm the host of Get a Bucket. I hope you're all having a good one. Spurs and six. Take care.