- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,129,469
- Reaction score
- 59
When the New York Knicks finally take the floor for the NBA Finals next week, they will be making history twice.
According to CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson, the Knicks will be the first team in NBA history to face three teams coming off a Game 7 in the same playoffs.
In addition to that, the Knicks’ rest differential (+12) over their NBA Finals opponent, which will be either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs, will be the biggest in NBA history when it comes to conference finals and NBA Finals matchups.
“The Knicks will be the 1st team to face 3 teams coming off a Game 7 in the same postseason in NBA history,” Clawson said. “They also have the biggest rest advantage (+12 days) by any team across the Conference Finals and NBA Finals all-time.”
After beating the Atlanta Hawks in six games, the Knicks faced the Philadelphia 76ers, who went to seven games against the Boston Celtics, and then the Cleveland Cavaliers, who battled the Detroit Pistons in a seven-game series.
MORE: NY Governor fails miserably trying to prove Knicks fandom
Now, the Spurs and Thunder are squaring off in a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals in order to earn the right to face New York in the NBA Finals.
Having so much time in between games can be a double-edged sword.
It allows the Knicks to get some much-needed rest and take care of bumps and bruises, but a big layoff could also lead to New York coming out rusty in Game 1.
May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Knicks earned their huge rest differential by sweeping the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals. Before that, the Knicks also swept the Sixers in the conference semifinals.
In all, the Knicks have won 11 straight games going into the championship round, and they have done so in impressive fashion by routinely blowing their opponents out.
MORE: Jalen Brunson can cement himself as greatest Knick ever
As a result of that showing, the NBA world is giving them a much better chance to beat either the Spurs or Thunder, both of whom should be favored over New York in the NBA Finals.
San Antonio and Oklahoma City both finished with a superior regular-season record and were higher seeds in their conference (No. 2 and No. 1, respectively).
May 24, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) moves the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the second quarter during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The Spurs and Thunder will conclude their highly-competitive series on Saturday, May 30.
The contest will take place on OKC’s home court and tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
MORE: Underdog refuses to back down to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
Continue reading...
According to CBS Sports researcher Doug Clawson, the Knicks will be the first team in NBA history to face three teams coming off a Game 7 in the same playoffs.
In addition to that, the Knicks’ rest differential (+12) over their NBA Finals opponent, which will be either the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs, will be the biggest in NBA history when it comes to conference finals and NBA Finals matchups.
“The Knicks will be the 1st team to face 3 teams coming off a Game 7 in the same postseason in NBA history,” Clawson said. “They also have the biggest rest advantage (+12 days) by any team across the Conference Finals and NBA Finals all-time.”
After beating the Atlanta Hawks in six games, the Knicks faced the Philadelphia 76ers, who went to seven games against the Boston Celtics, and then the Cleveland Cavaliers, who battled the Detroit Pistons in a seven-game series.
MORE: NY Governor fails miserably trying to prove Knicks fandom
Now, the Spurs and Thunder are squaring off in a Game 7 in the Western Conference finals in order to earn the right to face New York in the NBA Finals.
Having so much time in between games can be a double-edged sword.
It allows the Knicks to get some much-needed rest and take care of bumps and bruises, but a big layoff could also lead to New York coming out rusty in Game 1.
How the Knicks got here
You must be registered for see images attach
May 25, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the eastern conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
The Knicks earned their huge rest differential by sweeping the Cavs in the Eastern Conference finals. Before that, the Knicks also swept the Sixers in the conference semifinals.
In all, the Knicks have won 11 straight games going into the championship round, and they have done so in impressive fashion by routinely blowing their opponents out.
MORE: Jalen Brunson can cement himself as greatest Knick ever
As a result of that showing, the NBA world is giving them a much better chance to beat either the Spurs or Thunder, both of whom should be favored over New York in the NBA Finals.
San Antonio and Oklahoma City both finished with a superior regular-season record and were higher seeds in their conference (No. 2 and No. 1, respectively).
When is Game 7 for Spurs vs. Thunder?
You must be registered for see images attach
May 24, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) moves the ball past San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) in the second quarter during game four of the western conference finals for the 2026 NBA playoffs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
The Spurs and Thunder will conclude their highly-competitive series on Saturday, May 30.
The contest will take place on OKC’s home court and tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
MORE: Underdog refuses to back down to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
NBA Finals schedule
- Game 1: New York vs. OKC / SAS | Wednesday, June 3
- Game 2: New York vs. OKC / SAS | Friday, June 5
- Game 3: OKC / SAS vs. New York | Monday, June 8
- Game 4: OKC / SAS vs. New York | Wednesday, June 10
- Game 5: New York vs. OKC / SAS | Saturday, June 13*
- Game 6: OKC / SAS vs. New York | Tuesday, June 16*
- Game 7: New York vs. OKC / SAS | Friday, June 19*
Continue reading...
