Five players with most at stake in NBA Finals

The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs kick off the NBA Finals Wednesday night in Texas, a rematch of the 1999 Finals won by the Spurs. Both teams want to return to their glory days, and one will be the NBA's eighth different champion in eight seasons.

Here are the five players with the most at stake in the 2026 NBA Finals.

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

In only four seasons, Jalen Brunson has established himself in the pantheon of the greatest Knicks ever. Not only is Brunson a clutch scorer, but he's set the culture on a team that's the opposite of the usual dysfunctional Knicks squads of the past two decades.

He'll have his hands full against the Spurs' trio of speedy, strong young guards, not to mention the Spurs' 7-foot-4 center, Victor Wembanyama. But if Brunson can lead the Knicks to their first title since 1973, there's no limit on his fame in NYC. Not only will he never have to pay for a drink or a meal again, but he'll also get a statue outside Madison Square Garden, his own giant balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and become mayor by general acclimation.

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

After being selected with the No. 1 pick in 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns has made six All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams. Still, he couldn't shake a reputation for softness and not delivering in the playoffs — even as he went to the conference finals in three straight seasons.

This year, Towns' playoff numbers are down, but his effectiveness is way up. He's become a monster rebounder and thrived as a passer from the high post. Facing Victor Wembanyama will be a huge challenge, as will staying out of foul trouble, but if Towns can win the Finals, he's headed for the Hall of Fame.

Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs

By beating the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Victor Wembanyama has already exceeded expectations. It's not that Wembanyama's reputation would take a hit with a Finals loss as much as a win would make him the undisputed best player in basketball. He's on the brink of becoming so famous that even non-sports fans know who he is — especially if he does it in the NBA's most famous arena.

De'Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio bet big on De'Aaron Fox as the running mate for Wembanyama, trading for the former Clutch Player of the Year and giving him a max extension. Fox has a huge test in going head-to-head with Brunson.

Fox is playing through a sprained ankle, which hampered him against the Thunder. He won't get a break against the Knicks' crew of athletic wings. But if he can play as he did in Game 7 — 15 points, 6-for-12 shooting — that extension will be money well spent.

Mikal Bridges, New York Knicks

The Knicks traded six first-rounders to get Mikal Bridges two years ago. He started slowly in former coach Tom Thibodeau's isolation-heavy offense while retooling his jump shot, sometimes to ugly results. In the playoffs, Bridges made a number of huge defensive plays as the Knicks upset the Boston Celtics.