Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals is set to tip off on Wednesday. The piping-hot New York Knicks will visit the San Antonio Spurs at the Frost Bank Center for the first matchup of the championship series. Each team claimed one win when these two sides met during the regular season. Now, we'll get a chance to see how they make adjustments over time.
The starting centers for each team will likely play significant roles in Game 1, so we've identified some strong prop bet options for Victor Wembanyama and Karl-Anthony Towns ahead of the action.
Continue below for our NBA player props for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday, June 3.
NBA Player Props for Knicks vs Spurs Game 1
- Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 Points (-105)
- Karl-Anthony Towns Under 11.5 Rebounds (-123)
Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 Points
Victor Wembanyama dealt with injuries and an ejection through the first two rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs before averaging a postseason-high 27.3 points per game against OKC in the third round.
The Thunder boasted the league's second-best scoring defense during the regular season, and now Wemby is in for another huge test.
New York is giving up a league-low 100.6 points per game this postseason, but the reigning Defensive Player of the Year can build on his previous success against the Knicks in this matchup.
He racked up 28.0 points per game against them during the regular season and can take advantage of a huge size disparity between him and his primary defender.
OG Anunoby will reportedly be deployed as Wemabanyama's primary defender on Wednesday. He was named to the All-Defensive Second Team this year, but is nine inches shorter than the 7'4" Wemby.
That will be a big problem if Wemby's shooting touch from his last series carries over into this one.
The Spurs' superstar faced a variety of defenders against OKC, but none were capable of contesting his jump shot. Guards and bigs alike couldn't reach the apex of his long ball, which he converted at a 40.0% rate in the third round.
Anunoby has physicality and strong movement, but bumping Wemby off his spots down low won't negate his outside shooting.
Wemby averaged 29.0 points while shooting 50.0% from the field and 42.9% from three at home over his previous seven games, so I'll lean toward him maintaining his current level of production against a much smaller player.
Pick: Victor Wembanyama Over 27.5 Points (-105, DraftKings)
Karl-Anthony Towns Under 11.5 Rebounds
My second-favorite prop for Game 1 is closely tied to the first one I listed.
If Anunoby is guarding Wembanyama, the Knicks will have to find a place to hide Karl-Anthony Towns on defense.
Only the Magic's Wendell Carter Jr. committed more personal fouls than KAT (255) during the regular season, so he's the worst person to guard Wembanyama. However, he has to guard someone.
Julian Champagnie stands out as the player most likely to be KAT's assignment, and that could be bad news for the Knicks.
The sharpshooting forward leads the Spurs in 3-pointers made this postseason with 46, so KAT likely won't spend too much time under the rim on defense.
Champagnie is averaging 11.3 points while shooting 45.4% from the field and 39.3% from deep during the playoffs. He also erupted for a career-high 36 points against New York earlier this season.
KAT routinely went under screens against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that tactic might not work this time around.
Offensive boards won't come easily with Wemby manning the painted area, and Champagnie seems likely to pull KAT away from the basket.
I like the odds of Towns going under his total, despite how well he's rebounded the ball as of late.
