yahoo - 6/3/2026 1:13:27 PM - GMT (+2 )
The two teams in the NBA Finals, the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, are both looking to break their championship droughts.
The Spurs haven't hoisted the Larry O'Brien Trophy since 2014, and New York has waited even longer, last celebrating a title when the nation was enthralled by the Watergate scandal.
The Spurs dispatched the defending championOklahoma City Thunder by winning Game 7 on the road, and the Knicks have blitzed all challengers in the Eastern Conference and are currently on an 11-game winning streak.
All eyes will be on Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, the 22-year-old phenom, who has taken the basketball world by storm. But the Knicks, who have the No. 1 ranked offense and defense in the 2026 playoffs, have been absolutely dominant in their postseason run and are beating teams by 19.4 points per game, including series-clinching victories of 51, 30, and 37 points.
Here are the seven players who could have the biggest impact on the NBA Finals:
2026 Playoffs: 23.2 ppg, 10.8 rpg, 3.5 bpg, 2.7 apg
Before long, Wembanyama will be heading up lists as the best player in the entire league, but for now, he will have to be option No. 1 for the best player that will be the difference between the Spurs winning and losing this season. Wembanyama can score at all three levels, and his defense can erase any mistake his teammates allow, and that will be imperative, especially with the Knicks, who can easily go to their inside game when the outside shot is not falling.
2. Jalen Brunson, G, Knicks2026 Playoffs: 26.9 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.8 rpg
When Brunson is on his game, he is an absolute problem, and there is no one on the Spurs who can handle him if he gets going. Whenever he is on the floor, Brunson will be the smallest player, so San Antonio can negate his effectiveness by making him work on the defense end, something the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers failed to do, and that's why those teams are sitting at home.
3. Karl-Anthony Towns, F/C, Knicks2026 Playoffs: 16.9 ppg, 10.6 apg, 5.9 rpg
Once Towns became the focus point of the offense, New York never looked back. That is not saying he needs to lead the team in scoring, but his passing ability and overall presence have sparked the Knicks' suddenly potent fast-break game. Towns can also cause issues if San Antonio decides to be bold and have Wembanyama guard Towns.
4. OG Anunoby, F, Knicks2026 Playoffs: 19.7 ppg, 6.9 rpg
The one player who has stepped up big time in New York's impressive playoff run is Anunoby. He has dealt with a hamstring injury earlier in the postseason, but his availability is key. He is a reliable third scoring option, and his defense can be the catalyst for stopping the Spurs' litany of quick guards who want nothing more than to create posters featuring helpless defenders.
5. Stephon Castle, G, Spurs2026 Playoffs: 19.2 ppg, 6.7 apg, 4.9 rpg
Speaking of poster creators, Castle has upped his game even from his impressive Rookie of the Year campaign. Castle's game is at its best when he is under control, and at times in the seven-game triumph against the Thunder, turning it over 26 times to go with 53 assists. He is more than capable of turning on the scoring load, especially when or if Wembanyama is on the bench.
6. De’Aaron Fox, G, Spurs2026 Playoffs: 16.4 ppg, 5.9 apg, 4 rpg
Fox's ankle, which has sidelined him for numerous playoff games, has been an issue. Even though Wembanyama is the offensive linchpin, Fox is no slouch and has averaged 20 or more points in six different seasons and can take over a game if he needs to. If he gets his transition game going on a consistent basis, it might be game over for the Knicks.
7. Josh Hart, G/F, Knicks2026 Playoffs: 11.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 4.6 apg
The enigma that is Josh Hart could be most interesting in the NBA Finals. He will simply do the dirty work and do things that don't show up in the stat sheet; he is an excellent rebounder for his height and can make life a living hell for scorers with his defense. If you leave him open, he has made teams pay, as he did in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cavaliers, scoring 26 points and hitting five three-pointers.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Finals' seven most impactful players as Spurs face Knicks
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