Spurs and Knicks set for NBA Finals opener

Texas: Victor Wembanyama will lead the San Antonio Spurs into game one of the NBA Finals on Wednesday against a New York Knicks side seeking its first championship in 53 years.

The series marks the first NBA Finals appearance of Wembanyama’s career, three years after he entered the league as the top pick in the 2023 draft. The 22-year-old French star has driven a rapid turnaround in San Antonio’s fortunes, with the Spurs improving from 22 wins in his first season and 34 last year to a 62-win campaign this season.

San Antonio carried that form into the playoffs and reached the finals after defeating defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder in a game-seven thriller on Saturday. In the postseason, Wembanyama has averaged 23.2 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.5 blocks.

After the series-clinching win over Oklahoma City, Wembanyama described the opportunity in deeply personal terms.

Winning the Larry O'Brien (NBA championship trophy) is a childhood dream, and having a real shot at it, having a tangible chance at winning it -- it's a lifetime chance.

he said.

It's hard to put into words. It's almost like the meaning of my life.

Knicks chasing first title since 1973

Standing in the Spurs’ way is a Knicks team that won two of the three regular-season meetings between the sides. Their victories included a 124-113 win over San Antonio in the NBA Cup final in December.

New York’s starting line-up is led by All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, who is averaging just under 27 points in the playoffs. Karl-Anthony Towns has posted a double-double average, while Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart have also been key contributors.

The Knicks also enter the opener with a longer break after completing a 4-0 sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals on May 25. By contrast, San Antonio came through a demanding seven-game series against Oklahoma City.

Brown expects physical contest

Despite bookmakers making San Antonio the favorites, Knicks coach Mike Brown said his team is fully aware of the challenge ahead as New York tries to win its first NBA Finals crown since 1973.

It's going to be tough.

Brown said of the Spurs.

They're well coached. They obviously have a tremendous player in 'Wemby'.

They're quote-unquote young to a certain degree, but they have some veterans on the team that kind of uplift the young guys and give the young guys a lot of guidance. So they've got a nice mix of players on their team.

he said.

Brown also said he expects San Antonio to set an aggressive tone from the start.

They're a team that comes out really aggressive and hits first. Their crowd is into it, and we just have to go and make sure that we try to match or exceed their physicality to start the ball game while leaning on our standards.

The finals opener now pits a rising Spurs side built around Wembanyama against a Knicks team aiming to end a title drought stretching back more than five decades.