PREVIEW: The 2026 NBA Finals open Wednesday night with a compelling rematch of the 1999 series as the San Antonio Spurs host the New York Knicks in Game 1, pitting generational talent Victor Wembanyama against clutch performer Jalen Brunson in what promises to be one of the most intriguing title clashes in recent league history. The Knicks rank second in the NBA for defensive prowess against three-point shooting, allowing low-quality attempts from beyond the arc, while the Spurs lead the entire league in limiting rim attacks on defense. The Knicks have been wildly hot in the postseason with 11 consecutive victories, including a four-game sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference finals. The Spurs enter as favorites after dethroning defending champion Oklahoma City in a grueling seven-game Western Conference final. Wembanyama will certainly be the Knicks' biggest problem on both sides of the court, with the 22-year-old center averaging 23.2 points and 10.8 rebounds through his first 17 career playoff games. New York's biggest weakness lies in their high frequency of three-point attempts allowed on defense, ranking 28th in the league, while the Spurs struggle with low spacing on offense, placing them 27th in that category. Knicks big man Mitchell Robinson, who broke his right pinkie finger, is listed as questionable but was spotted doing light shooting and dribbling at practice after grabbing 15 rebounds in 18 minutes during New York's recent victory over San Antonio. When the Knicks take the court for Wednesday's Game 1, it will be their first game in over a week, having last played on May 25 due to their sweep of the Cavaliers and the Spurs' seven-game series with the Thunder.