The 2026 NBA Finals begin Wednesday night with one key injury question surrounding the New York Knicks as they open the series against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center.
The Knicks enter Game 1 with center Mitchell Robinson listed as questionable because of a fractured right fifth metacarpal in his shooting hand. San Antonio, meanwhile, has no players listed on its injury report entering the matchup.
Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 3, in San Antonio.
Robinson’s status carries added importance for a Knicks team that has leaned on depth and frontcourt physicality during its playoff run. The 27-year-old has appeared in 13 postseason games, averaging 5.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 14.2 minutes while shooting 73.7% from the field.
Even in a reserve role, the veteran center has helped New York control the glass and protect the rim in short stretches. His offensive rebounding also gives the Knicks extra possessions, an area that could matter against a Spurs frontcourt anchored by Victor Wembanyama.
San Antonio enters the Finals healthy after a seven-game Western Conference Finals series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Wembanyama has led the Spurs throughout the postseason, averaging 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks per game while adding floor spacing and rim protection on both ends.
The Spurs’ backcourt has also been productive entering the Finals. Stephon Castle is averaging 19.2 points and 6.7 assists across 18 playoff games, while De’Aaron Fox has added 16.4 points and 5.9 assists. Rookie guard Dylan Harper has provided additional scoring depth off the bench with 13.1 points per game in the playoffs.
New York arrives in the Finals after sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks have received consistent production from Jalen Brunson, who is averaging 26.9 points and 6.6 assists during the postseason, while OG Anunoby has supplied efficient two-way play with 19.7 points per game on 57.7% shooting.
Karl-Anthony Towns gives New York another interior scoring and rebounding presence, averaging 16.9 points, 10.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists through 14 playoff contests. If Robinson is unable to play, the Knicks could ask Towns to absorb more minutes at center while relying on reserve options behind him.
The regular-season series between the teams finished even at 1-1. San Antonio edged New York 134-132 at home, while the Knicks answered with a 114-89 win in the rematch.
