Here’s how to catch the game, each teams’ playoff stats leaders and more.
SAN ANTONIO — It all comes down to this.
After passing test after test posted by the defending champion Thunder, the San Antonio Spurs will take on the New York Knicks in an NBA Finals series that will, one way or another, end what has been one of the more remarkable runs in league history.
The Spurs are well aware of the challenge posed the Knicks, who beat San Antonio twice in three meetings during the regular season. The Eastern Conference champions have been historically good in the playoffs, sporting a 12-2 mark after beating the Hawks in the opening series, then sweeping the 76ers and Cavaliers in the next two rounds.
New York has notched four 30-point blowouts in the postseason and are winning games by an average margin of 22.8 points.
“It’s a great team,” Victor Wembanyama said Tuesday. “A great team of experienced guys who are not here by chance, but by relentless effort over the years. They’re right where they’re supposed to be, in my opinion.”
By the time Game 1 tips off, it will have been five days since the Spurs last played. By virtue of their dominant success, the Knicks have rested for about twice as long—depending on who you ask, resting for that long could be an advantage or a detriment, especially with the series starting at Frost Bank Center.
The only injury to make note of before the NBA Finals is New York’s Mitchell Robinson, the 7-foot backup center who suffered a broken pinkie finger. He was officially listed as questionable to play early Wednesday afternoon, but NBA insider Shams Charania reported that Robinson is expected to be available after undergoing hand surgery.
San Antonio’s De’Aaron Fox, who played for most of the Western Conference Finals despite injuring his ankle earlier in the playoffs, will also suit up. Spurs head coach Mitch Johnson said Tuesday that he was confident Fox was continuing to improve.
“With rest, I hope he’s better tomorrow than he is today,” Johnson said.
Game 1 tips off at 7:30 p.m. CT. Here’s what to know ahead of time; make sure to check the full NBA Finals schedule here and click here for our roundup of family-friendly watch parties.
How to watch
The game will be televised on ABC and available to watch on the ESPN app. You can also listen to game action on WOAI 1200 and KXTN 1350.
Team stats leaders (playoffs)
- POINTS: Victor Wembanyama (23.2), Stephon Castle (19.2), De’Aaron Fox (16.4)
- REBOUNDS: Wembanyama (10.8), Julian Champagnie (5.8), Dylan Harper (5.3)
- ASSISTS: Castle (6.7), Fox (5.9), Wembanyama (2.7)
- BLOCKS: Wembanyama (3.5), Luke Kornet (0.9), Devin Vassell (0.8)
- POINTS: Jalen Brunson (26.9), OG Anunoby (19.7), Karl-Anthony Towns (16.9)
- REBOUNDS: Towns (10.6), Josh Hart (8.6), Anunoby (6.9)
- ASSISTS: Brunson (6.6), Towns (5.9), Hart (4.6)
- BLOCKS: Towns (1.4), Anunoby (1.0), Ariel Hukporti (0.6)
Injury report
As of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, here’s where the team’s respective injury reports stack up:
- None submitted
- Mitchell Robinson – Questionable (fractured fifth metacarpal)