NBA Finals Game 1 tips off at 8.30pm ET / 5.30pm PT on Wednesday, June 3.
That’s 1.30am BST / 10.30am AEST on Thursday, June 4 in the UK and Australia, respectively.
How to watch NBA Finals 2026: Free streams, schedule, TV channels for New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs
Watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams, as the Knicks and Spurs face off in a repeat of the 1999 showpiece. San Antonio won that series 4-1 to secure the first of five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). It’s been so long since two-time champions New York last went all the way (1970, 1973) that they’ve never actually laid hands on the Larry O’Brien trophy. Look back at the old pictures and you’ll see its predecessor, used until 1976, the Walter A Brown trophy.
The Spurs took a gruelling route to the NBA Finals, playing 18 games including a seven-game series against holders Oklahoma that only wrapped up on Saturday, three days before Game 1. By contrast, the Knicks will enter the series off the back of nine days of rest, having only played 14 times this postseason. They swept both Cleveland and Philadelphia.
And yet the Spurs have been installed as the clear favorites. A lot of that has to do with Victor Wembanyama, the NBA’s first unanimous Defensive Player of the Year – who’s also San Antonio’s top offensive threat. It certainly doesn’t help New York’s cause that their own big man Mitchell Robinson is dealing with a broken finger. Not only would he have been on Wemby duty, but he’s also one of the NBA’s best rebounders.
It’s worth remembering, however, that these teams met in the NBA Cup final in December, as the Knicks ran out as 124-113 winners. They also destroyed the Spurs to the tune of 114-89 when they faced off at Madison Square Garden in March. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns dazzled on both occasions. San Antonio won 134-132 when they clashed at Frost Bank Center in December.
One of the main reasons the Knicks have fared so well against the Spurs this season is that they’re well-equipped to deal with Wembanyama. Although dominating the paint has been a feature of New York’s offense, that isn’t an option with the 7ft 4in towering over the basket. A good thing, then, that they’ve been the most prolific 3-point shooters through the NBA Playoffs.
Here’s how to watch Knicks vs Spurs in the 2026 NBA Finals from anywhere in the world.
NBA Finals schedule 2026
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Wednesday, June 3
8.30pm – Game 1 @ Spurs | ABC, ESPN Unlimited
Friday, June 5
8.30pm – Game 2 @ Spurs | ABC, ESPN Unlimited
Monday, June 8
8.30pm – Game 3 @ Knicks | ABC, ESPN Unlimited
Wednesday, June 10
8.30pm – Game 4 @ Knicks | ABC, ESPN Unlimited
Saturday, June 13
8.30pm – Game 5 @ Spurs | ABC, ESPN Unlimited (If needed)
Tuesday, June 16
8.30pm – Game 6 @ Knicks | ABC, ESPN Unlimited (If needed)
Friday, June 19
8.30pm – Game 7 @ Spurs | ABC, ESPN Unlimited (If needed)
(All times ET)
Can you watch NBA Finals 2026 for free?
Yes. Throughout the playoffs, select NBA games have been available to watch for free on the NBA YouTube channel in India and on CCTV5 in China.
In the UK, the NBA Finals are being shown on Prime Video, which comes with a 30-day free trial for new customers.
The NBA Finals are available to watch in their entirety on Kayo Sports in Australia, which offers new users a 7-day free trial.
In the US, YouTube TV (21 days), Fubo (5 days) and DirecTV Stream (5 days) each carry ABC and offer a free trial to new subscribers.
Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch NBA Finals 2026 for free as if you were right at home.
Use a VPN to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams
A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it’s back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend Surfshark – it does everything and comes with 4 months extra free right now.
Using a VPN to watch the NBA Finals is really straightforward.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we’ve said, Surfshark is our top pick of the options.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you want to watch ABC via Sling TV this weekend, select ‘United States’ from the listed countries.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to Sling TV and tune into the Knicks vs Spurs.
How to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams in the USA
Basketball fans in the US can watch Knicks vs Spurs in the NBA Finals on either ABC or ESPN Unlimited.
If you don’t have ABC on cable, it’s available through Sling – specifically the Blue plan, which starts at $45.99/month. It includes ABC, NBC and Fox in select locations, plus FS1, USA Network and FX.
Alternatively, ABC is also carried by Fubo, YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, each of which offers a free trial to new users.
ESPN Unlimited costs $29.99/month or $299.99/year, but you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $35.99/month.
Outside of the US? Use a VPN whilst you’re traveling away from home to unlock your stream.
How to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams in the UK
The NBA Finals are being shown on Prime Video in the UK.
Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial to new users. A subscription then starts at £8.99/month, or £95/year.
Alternatively, they’re also available to watch on NBA League Pass, which starts at £16.99 for the rest of the season.
If you’re out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your subscriptions from anywhere.
How to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams in Canada
In Canada, NBA Finals coverage is shared between Sportsnet, TSN and CTV.
TSN (showing Games 1, 3, 5, 7) is available to live stream via TSN+, which costs CA$8/month or CA$80/year, and the same is true of Sportsnet with Sportsnet Plus (Games 2, 4, 6), which starts at CA$29.99/month or CA$249.99/year.
Not in Canada? Use Surfshark if you’re away from home, in order to tap into your preferred Knicks vs Spurs coverage from anywhere.
How to watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams in Australia
The NBA Finals are being shown on ESPN via Foxtel (streamed via Foxtel Now) in Australia.
All ESPN games can also be streamed through your choice of the excellent sports streaming platform Kayo Sports (from $30/month after a 7-day free trial or your first month for $1) or Disney Plus (from AU$15.99/month or AU$159.99/year).
There’s also NBA League Pass, which starts at AU$24.99 for the rest of the season.
Not in Australia right now? Use a VPN if you’re away from home, in order to tap into your preferred NBA Finals 2026 coverage from anywhere.
What is the 2026 NBA Finals Game 1 start time?
What is the Knicks vs Spurs head-to-head?
The New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs have met 107 times in the regular season. The Knicks have won 47 of them, and the Spurs 60.
They’ve contested one playoff series – the 1999 NBA Finals, which the Spurs won 4-1.
Can I watch NBA Finals 2026 on my mobile?
Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone’s browser.
You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key NBA Finals moments on the NBA’s official social media channels on Instagram (@NBA), Facebook (@NBA) and YouTube (@NBA).
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
Watch NBA Finals 2026 live streams, as the Knicks and Spurs face off in a repeat of the 1999 showpiece. San Antonio won that series 4-1 to secure the first of five NBA championships (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014). It’s been so long since two-time champions New York last went…
