Insider notes ‘one matchup to watch’ in Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals

All roads will lead to Frost Bank Center on Wednesday for Game 1 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. It will be a rematch of their championship clash in 1999, which the Spurs won in five games.

San Antonio is coming off a grueling seven-game duel with the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, with Victor Wembanyama showing that he can put the team on his back at just 22 years old.

New York, on the other hand, is riding on an 11-game winning streak, including a sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Jalen Brunson has been phenomenal in spearheading the Knicks’ historic efficiency in the playoffs.

While Wembanyama and Brunson are certainly the biggest stars, they won’t be guarding each other for obvious reasons. That is why for ESPN’s Zach Kram, the “one matchup to watch” is Brunson against Stephon Castle.

“In theory, Castle’s physicality matches well against Brunson’s repertoire. The young Spurs guard is coming off a series in which he defended two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander about as well as possible. SGA shot just 41% in the conference finals, the second-worst mark in any playoff series in his career,” wrote Kram.

“Brunson, however, averaged 26 points in three meetings against the Spurs this season, as New York’s offense hummed.”

The Knicks beat the Spurs twice, including in the NBA Cup Final, in their three meetings in the regular season.

Aside from averaging 26.0 points, Brunson also logged 4.0 rebounds and 7.6 assists against San Antonio. Castle, meanwhile, tallied 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 7.6 assists versus the Knicks.

While Brunson has the edge in offense, craftiness, and experience, Castle has the advantage in defense, size, and athleticism. Both playmakers are expected to play heavy minutes in the best-of-seven series.

The Spurs last hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy in 2014, while the Knicks have not won the title since 1973.

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