Victor Wembanyama Powers Spurs Back to NBA Finals, Sets Up 1999 Rematch With Knicks

Last Updated:May 31, 2026, 10:10 IST

Twenty-seven years after their iconic 1999 showdown, the Knicks and Spurs meet again in the NBA Finals, with Victor Wembanyama chasing San Antonio's next title.

The NBA Finals are set, and basketball fans are getting a matchup dripping with nostalgia.

Twenty-seven years after their memorable clash in the 1999 championship series, the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs will once again battle for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Back then, it was a young 22-year-old Tim Duncan leading San Antonio to its first-ever NBA title. This time, the Spurs are riding the brilliance of another generational talent: a 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama.

New York arrives in the Finals brimming with confidence after dismantling the Cleveland Cavaliers in a four-game sweep in the Eastern Conference Finals. Led by the ever-reliable Jalen Brunson, the Knicks have looked composed and ruthless throughout the postseason and are now just four wins away from ending a decades-long title drought.

San Antonio’s path, however, was far more demanding.

The Spurs had to survive a gruelling seven-game Western Conference Finals series against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. In a hostile environment at Paycom Center, they held their nerve to secure a 111-103 victory in the decisive Game 7 and punch their ticket to the championship round.

Even as the final seconds ticked away, Thunder fans refused to leave until the final buzzer in appreciation of a team that fought to the very end.

But it was Wembanyama and the Spurs celebrating when it mattered.

The French superstar delivered another commanding performance with 22 points and seven rebounds, earning Western Conference Finals MVP honours. Julian Champagnie chipped in with 20 points, including six three-pointers, while Stephon Castle added 16 as San Antonio controlled most of the contest.

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points for Oklahoma City, but the Thunder could not prevent their title defence from ending one step short of the Finals.

For Wembanyama, reaching the championship series was an emotional milestone.

“Though we’re still hungry for one more, this feeling is, I can’t explain it, it’s so powerful," he said. “We want four more. We’re not done. Go Spurs go."

Reflecting on the moment, the 22-year-old admitted he was overwhelmed by emotion.

“Realising that some part of the childhood dream was going to come true."

Now, the dream is four wins away. And standing in the Spurs’ path are the surging Knicks, eager to rewrite history.

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