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Momentum has fully engulfed Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs.
After dominating most of Game 7 in Oklahoma City on Saturday night, the Spurs punched their ticket to the NBA Finals as Western Conference champions. They will open the series at home against the New York Knicks on June 3.
Oddsmakers have wasted little time installing San Antonio as the favorite to capture its sixth NBA championship.
With sportsbooks projecting roughly a 68 percent chance of the Spurs lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy, much of that confidence appears to be driven by the team's recent surge and the continued rise of Wembanyama.
Why the Knicks Deserve More Respect
The problem with the current odds is that they may be overlooking just how dominant the Knicks have been throughout the postseason.
New York is making its first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, when a very different Knicks team fell to the Spurs in five games.
This year's squad has been nothing short of impressive.
Aside from dropping two largely inconsequential games to Atlanta in the opening round, the Knicks have steamrolled quality opponents throughout the playoffs. Their victories have often come by commanding margins, showcasing a team that has found its rhythm at exactly the right time.
The NBA Cup Result Matters
There is another factor worth considering.
The Knicks captured the Emirates NBA Cup earlier this season, defeating this very Spurs team after navigating a difficult tournament bracket.
While the NBA Cup still does not receive the level of attention some believe it deserves, the tournament provided a meaningful measuring stick. New York proved it could beat San Antonio when the stakes were high.
That experience could prove valuable once the Finals begin.
Wembanyama Is Great, But Depth Wins Championships
There is no question that Wembanyama is on a path toward NBA superstardom and perhaps even future GOAT discussions.
However, the Spurs' championship hopes remain heavily tied to one player.
If Wembanyama encounters foul trouble, fatigue, or physical challenges against frontcourt players such as Karl Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby, San Antonio's margin for error shrinks dramatically.
The Spurs possess championship tradition, but they do not have the overwhelming depth that defined past San Antonio title teams.
The days of dominant Twin Towers lineups controlling the paint are part of franchise history.
Today, the Spurs largely live and die with Wembanyama.
New York's Depth Could Be the Difference
The Knicks, meanwhile, continue to roll out a battle tested roster filled with experienced veterans.
Their ability to maintain relentless pressure, sustain tempo, and attack from multiple angles gives them a significant advantage over the course of a long series.
While San Antonio will undoubtedly have the best player on the floor, New York may have the deeper and more complete team.
That combination often proves decisive in the NBA Finals.
Final Prediction
The Spurs deserve to be favorites, and Wembanyama is capable of taking over any game in this series.
But championship betting is often about identifying value, not simply picking the most talented player.
The Knicks have been dominant throughout the playoffs, already own a significant win over San Antonio this season, and possess the depth needed to withstand the grind of a seven game series.
For those looking beyond the hype, New York may be the smarter pick to win the 2026 NBA Championship.
and if the Knicks pull it off, it will send shockwaves throughout the basketball world.
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