The New York Knicks are set to face the San Antonio Spurs in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals on Wednesday at 8:30 p.
m. on ESPN.
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This marks the franchise's first championship series appearance in 27 years.
Bridges and Anunoby Seek Redemption
Knicks guards Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby enter the series with previous Finals experience.
Bridges reached the 2021 NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns, where his team lost four straight after taking a 2-0 lead against the Milwaukee Bucks.
"I remember going up 2-0; I'm ready," Bridges recalled on the Roomates Show podcast.
He has increased his postseason production this year, averaging 14.6 points on 58.6% shooting through three rounds, compared to 11.1 points on 48.4% shooting in 2021.
"They ran off four straight…I just couldn't believe it," Bridges said.
Regarding media attention, Bridges emphasized focus: "Just worry about being ourselves, stay locked in and go win."
Anunoby won a championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 but missed the entire postseason due to an appendectomy.
"Grown a lot on and off the court," Anunoby said. "The first time it was really cool, but it wasn't the way I would have wanted it.
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This time, happy to be here, happy to be healthy."
He noted that returning to the Finals is difficult: "I was younger back then, I didn't realize how hard it [was] to get back."
