Story perspectives

Spurs Reach Finals; Knicks Rally, Warriors Remain Sole Repeat Champ

6/6/2026

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Summary

Spurs Advance

The Spurs beat the Thunder in Game 7 of the Conference Finals to reach the NBA Finals.
The Knicks erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit and closed with an 11-0 run to win Game 1.
In Game 1, the Spurs posted 36% overall shooting, 26% from three, and six turnovers by Victor Wembanyama on 21 attempts.
The Warriors are the only repeat champion since 2015, with three titles and a last repeat in 2018.

Summary

Trump Attends

President Donald Trump will attend Game 2 on Monday.
Game 2 airs on ABC at 7:30 p.m. CT Friday, June 5, with the Spurs listed at –5.5 points, –225 moneyline, and a 214.5 over/under.
The NBA sends each team four Wilson Horween leather balls months early, with Wilson’s “waking the windings” process using a rapid-dribble machine and wooden panel to develop patina in three-four weeks.

History

Historical Context

In 1998, the Chicago Bulls captured their sixth NBA championship, defeating the Utah Jazz 4-2 in the Finals. Michael Jordan averaged 33.5 points per game, while the league’s television deal with NBC reached $2.5 billion that season. Today's Spurs-Thunder Conference Finals, featuring Victor Wembanyama’s 21 attempts and Donald Trump’s court-side appearance, echo the 1998 showdown’s star power and media spectacle. The 1998 precedent shows that repeat champions like the Warriors face heightened scrutiny, while expanding broadcast deals and ball-manufacturing innovations reshape NBA economics.

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Spurs Advance

The Spurs beat the Thunder in Game 7 of the Conference Finals to reach the NBA Finals.
The Knicks erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit and closed with an 11-0 run to win Game 1.
In Game 1, the Spurs posted 36% overall shooting, 26% from three, and six turnovers by Victor Wembanyama on 21 attempts.
The Warriors are the only repeat champion since 2015, with three titles and a last repeat in 2018.

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