Victor Wembanyama – If he completes the job, and brings the title home to San Antonio, the ‘best in the world’ crown is his. Just getting to the NBA Finals means he’s already in the conversation with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić and Luka Dončić. It’s astonishing that he’s 7-ft, 4-in (maybe taller) and has the skill-set of a guard, all while being the offensive and defensive engine of the team. Plus, they feed off his ultra-competitiveness and raw emotion (see his reaction to Shai being given the MVP and winning the WCF). Wemby is the ultimate catalyst and best single player in the series.

Jalen Brunson – Rarely are free agent signings more impactful than Brunson has been for the Knicks. Since his arrival in 2022/23, New York has won 50+ games a season, while also making and winning in the playoffs consistently. He’s usually the smallest player on the court, so for him to score at the rate that he does is quite an achievement. His offensive game isn’t only about jump shooting either. He attacks the paint with regularity and can finish over or around much bigger guys consistently. An assortment of pump fakes, jump stops and pivot moves also help him create space to shoot. Teams try to bump him and get physical on the perimeter, which doesn’t always work since Brunson possesses enough strength to fight through the contact and has the IQ to draw unnecessary fouls.

Stephon Castle – A phenomenal two-way talent who pairs incredibly well with Wemby. The zip he can achieve on his passes is remarkable, just as his ability to find the open man. He’s at or near the leader for total assists in the playoffs. Being the primary creator isn’t easy, especially when he puts in so much effort attacking the paint and glass, while also providing stifling man-to-man defense. His 3-pt shot isn’t quite where it needs to be, has periods where he can’t stop turning the ball over and gets into occasional foul trouble due to his aggressive defense.

Karl-Anthony Towns – KAT can score from all 3 levels effectively, which will help pull Wemby away from the paint. He can also handle the ball and isn’t afraid to dribble at his defender. Whatever he can do to get Wembanyama into foul trouble will be incredibly helpful. Keeping the big Frenchman on the bench is of paramount importance to the Knicks. The flip side being KAT isn’t a good defender and has a tendency to commit stupid fouls.

OG Anunoby – Might be the perimeter defender best suited to defend Stephon Castle. OG has the strength to take contact and not go flying, the lateral quickness to beat his man to the spot, the IQ to play defense without fouling and the stamina to chase his guy all around the court for as long as necessary. There is a chance he will also be the primary defender on Wemby at times.

Dylan Harper – It’s easy to see why Harper went number 2 in the 2025 NBA draft. He’s an ultra-talented, left-handed, 3-level scorer with a bag full of tricks and NBA bloodlines; his dad is 5-time NBA Champion Ron Harper. There was a moment in the OKC series where he missed a box out or rebounding assignment and OKC scored. Spurs HC Mitch Johnson took a timeout to specifically chew him out. Now, something like that could ruin a young players confidence. Not Harper though, he took the criticism, sat on the bench for a few minutes and then checked back into the game. You can bet he was locked into rebounding from then on. He also fell into the absolute best situation as a highly-touted draft pick. While most of the other top picks had the enormity of turning their franchises around, Harper came into an already established team with a strong culture. He was afforded the ability to learn at his own pace during the season, which is now paying dividends late into the playoffs. It’s possible he’s already the 3rd most important Spurs player.

Josh Hart – Every team needs a guy like Hart. A jack-of-all-trades starter, who isn’t worried about getting his numbers and only about doing what’s best for the team. He’ll attack the glass, relentlessly defend whoever he asked to defend, bring the ball up, set hard screens, pass guys open and can hit 3’s. He can also ignite the Madison Square Garden crowd by hitting a big shot or diving after a loose ball. He’s the Knicks emotional conduit.

De’Aaron Fox – Will be asked to provide ball-handling, play-making and scoring as an alternative to Castle, which is critical since Castle is so young and has a tendency to get sped up and become sloppy with the ball.

Mitchell Robinson – How much pain can Robinson play through and still be effective might determine the NBA Finals. It’s no secret Wemby is about as difficult an individual defensive matchup as one can have and the Knicks don’t exactly have a ton of length and size in their front-court to handle the Frenchman straight up. KAT isn’t going to cut it, while Hart, Anunoby and Bridges will get shot over every time. The only realistic option is Robinson, who is battling an injury, and will be a gametime decision for Game 1. He, somehow, broke the pinky on his right hand in-between Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals and now. He has the strength to push Wemby around, the motor and IQ to defend the paint and will to control the glass. It just depends on how much pain he can withstand.

Julian Champagnie – Needs to be ready and willing to take the open 3’s he’ll see off the Wemby/Castle double-teams. If he gets into a groove early in the Finals, watch out.