NBA Makes National Anthem Announcement for Finals Game 1

The 2026 NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks will begin with Game 1 on Wednesday night.

Before tipoff at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center, American singer-songwriter Tori Kelly will perform her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“National Anthem and starting lineup presentations will be fully integrated into ABC telecasts, enhancing the scale and energy of the Finals opening moments, including a Game 1 performance by singer, songwriter, producer and actress Tori Kelly,” the NBA wrote in an announcement on social media.

Kelly’s performance of the United States’ national anthem precedes the highly-anticipated, series-opening matchup between the Spurs and Knicks, kicking off an NBA Finals clash between two historic franchises.

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The Knicks are making their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, when they fell to the Tim Duncan-led Spurs 4-1. The New York franchise hasn’t won an NBA title since 1973.

That being said, the Knicks enter the 2026 NBA Finals as the hottest team in the league - winning 11 straight games en route to the championship series. Led by Jalen Brunson, New York notched back-to-back series sweeps over the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

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The Spurs took down the reigning-champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. Victor Wembanyama was named MVP of the seven-game series, leading his young squad to the NBA Finals as a 22-year-old generational superstar.

Game 1 of the NBA Finals will tipoff at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 4:52 PM.