Wembanyama vs. Knicks? The 3 Most Intriguing NBA Finals Matchups

We are a few weeks away from the NBA Finals, and with eight teams left in the tournament, it’s around this time that it’s OK to start dreaming about possible climactic matchups.

While every round of the NBA playoffs is important, a great finale can be the difference between a season remembered forever and one brushed aside as a skippable season of a television show.

As we continue through the conference semifinals, here are my three most intriguing possible NBA Finals matchups for the 2025-26 season.

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3. Los Angeles Lakers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Is this likely to happen? Almost assuredly not, especially with Luka Doncic out for the Lakers and the Oklahoma City Thunder looking to repeat with their full force deployed.

But come on, what would be better than LeBron James, after doing the impossible, leading Los Angeles to the championship series against the franchise that he calls his home?

If James were to win his fifth ring and beat Cleveland, he’d have to call it a career, right? What could top that?

2. Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New York Knicks

The dynasty vs. the Mecca. Oklahoma City would be hunting for a second championship and to truly begin their era of dominance, while the Knicks would be scratching and clawing to win their first title since 1973.

It would be the small empire against the gigantic underdog. A small city with one of the best all-around lineups in the NBA’s history, facing a Knicks team that might have only one shot with this current roster to win a ring.

1. San Antonio Spurs vs. New York Knicks

Over a quarter-century ago, the Spurs won their first-ever NBA championship against the plucky New York Knicks in a five-game series, with Tim Duncan winning Finals MVP.

Duncan and the Spurs would go on to create a legacy over the next 15 years that turned San Antonio from a blip into an important piece of basketball history.

With Victor Wembanyama now on the Spurs and the old era of the Spurs gone, could they begin their next 15 years of relevancy by winning the championship over the scrappy Knicks again?

Or could New York, looking back to 1999, right the wrongs of so long ago and thwart the Spurs to win its own championship?

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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 7:59 PM.