
The NBA Finals are set to tip-off on Wednesday night, and most are expecting the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks to deliver a classic series.
If both teams are at their best and fans are treated to a long series, it will be because of Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama, the two top players in the series and driving forces of their teams.
While talking with the media on Tuesday, Brunson was asked about facing Wembanyama in the Finals. Brunson offered a perspective as both a fan of basketball and an opponent trying to conquer one of the most unique players in league history.
"Watching him as a player, it's pretty unbelievable. The things he's able to do on both sides of the ball, people have never really seen before for a person at his size," Brunson said.
"It's incredible to watch from a fan's perspective. As an opposing player, it's something you constantly have to be on watch for. You just never know things he's capable of doing," he added about the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year.
"The things he's able to do on both sides of the ball... people have never really seen before."
— NBA (@NBA) June 3, 2026
Brunson delivers high praise for Wemby ahead of the 2026 NBA Finals
NYK/SAS NBA Finals Game 1
8:30pm/et on ABC pic.twitter.com/TXxtWOapzN
But if there's any team capable of taking down Wembanyama and the Spurs, it's Brunson and the Knicks. New York enters the Finals riding a dominating 11-game postseason win streak that's unparalleled in league history. They are also rested after completing consecutive sweeps, unlike San Antonio, who needed seven games to dethrone the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
And for as imposing as Wembanyama has been at times on both ends of the floor, often putting up historic performances, Brunson has reached 30 points in five of his team's playoff games and exceeded 40 percent from the field in 12 of the 14.
Even though matchup won't be Brunson vs. Wembanyama head-to-head - the Knicks have a big of their own in Karl-Anthony Towns - it's safe to say the series will come down to who can take over more games and be more of a difference maker.
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