Ranking Every Player in the NBA Finals: Brunson or Wembanyama at the Top?

An NBA postseason highlighted by breakout performances, Game 7 thrillers and more than a few upsets has reached its last chapter : The Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks .

San Antonio is seeking its first championship since 2014 after winning 62 games during the regular season and dethroning the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals. New York, ringless since 1973, won 53 games and the NBA Cup before breezing through the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 12-2 run.

As the conference champions prepare to collide, let's rank all 30 players eligible to play in the NBA Finals.

Note: These rankings reflect performance and availability during the 2025-26 regular season and postseason, plus known medical issues.

Playoff stats: 23.2 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.5 BPG, 51.0% FG, 37.0% 3-pt

Wembanyama's first postseason run has been legendary: The 2023 No. 1 overall pick leads all players in Player Efficiency Rating, Win Shares, rebounds and blocks. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar , Tim Duncan , Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson are the only players to match his postseason stats -- 23.2 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.5 blocks -- in runs of 10 or more games.

But Wembanyama's resolve has been as impressive as his production. Young stars usually need time to acclimate to playoff intensity, but the 22-year-old has reached the Finals despite suffering a head injury in the first round, getting ejected for a flagrant elbow in the second round and falling behind 3-2 against the Thunder in the Western Conference finals. Remarkably, the Spurs were plus-62 with Wembanyama on the court and minus-36 when he was off it against Oklahoma City.

Everything is on the table for Wembanyama over the next three weeks: He could lead the Spurs to their first championship of the post-Duncan era, become the second-youngest Finals MVP in history and solidify his standing as the best basketball player in the world.

Playoff stats : 26.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 6.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, 48.6% FG, 35.2% 3-pt

Brunson's transformative impact on the Knicks goes well beyond the numbers, but the "Before Brunson" and "After Brunson" splits have reached eye-popping status. After winning just one playoff series between 2001 and 2022, the Knicks have won seven series in Brunson's four-year run. The point guard's 35 playoff wins since 2022 rank second among players with at least one All-Star selection, and he just led the Knicks on the most dominant run to the Finals by an Eastern Conference team since the NBA instituted its current playoff format in 2003.

A perceived lack of size caused Brunson to slip into the second round of the 2018 draft and fueled some doubts about his ability to emerge as a franchise player when he left the Dallas Mavericks . Now the 6-foot-2 floor general now has the chance to join Stephen Curry (6-foot-2), Tony Parker (6-foot-2) and Isiah Thomas (6-foot-1) among the shortest Finals MVP winners in league history.

The Knicks are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, and they'll face the same opponent they did then, the Spurs . Watch the NBA Finals on ABC and the ESPN app.

Game 1 : June 3 at Spurs

Game 2 : June 5 at Spurs

Game 3 : June 8 at Knicks

Game 4 : June 10 at Knicks

Game 5* : June 13 at Spurs

Game 6* : June 16 at Knicks

Game 7* : June 19 at Spurs

* if necessary

All games tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Playoff stats: 16.9 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.4 BPG, 57.2% FG, 48.9% 3-pt

This was the dream when the Knicks traded for Towns right before the 2024-25 season: The 2015 No. 1 pick has supercharged New York's offense with his floor spacing and distribution skills. With Towns facilitating more than ever, the Knicks' league-best 123.3 offensive rating in the playoffs has jumped 4.6 points above their regular-season standard.

Towns ranks second to Wembanyama in Player Efficiency and Win Shares among players with at least 10 games logged during the 2026 playoffs, and his defensive limitations have yet to cost the Knicks in a meaningful way. That could change in the Finals if his propensity for committing cheap fouls comes back to bite New York.

Playoff stats: 19.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 6.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 48.1% FG, 36.3% 3-pt

Castle is two valuable archetypes rolled into one player: a relentless off-the-dribble attacker capable of collapsing opposing defenses, and a fierce on-ball perimeter stopper who savors the toughest assignments. The second-year guard has stepped up to provide additional scoring with teammates De'Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper battling injuries, and he helped hold two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander well below his regular-season averages during the West finals.

There is one catch: Castle has battled turnover issues throughout the playoffs, particularly against Oklahoma City's swarming schemes. In his defense, he has offset his giveaways by leading the NBA in total assists this postseason.

Playoff stats: 19.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.6 SPG, 57.7% FG, 48.3% 3-pt

Anunoby has emerged as a playoff riser for the Knicks despite a minor hamstring injury that cost him two games in the second round. The 28-year-old forward has upped his scoring, rebounding, and shooting efficiency compared to his regular-season levels, and his defensive versatility has been a major asset.

While New York's exceptional offense has garnered most of the attention in recent weeks, Anunoby has helped the Knicks post the NBA's top-ranked defense in the playoffs. Will Knicks coach Mike Brown cast him as the "Wemby-Stopper?"

Playoff stats: 16.4 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.3 SPG, 43.5% FG, 31.1% 3-pt

ESPN has you covered through the NBA Finals.

• Bracket, schedule, news and highlights

• NBA Finals preview: Read more

• Goodwill: How Knicks got to NBA Finals

• Golliver: Wemby is shattering the age curve

• 'Hoop Collective': Windhorst & Co. talk playoffs

Fox missed two games and was limited by an ankle injury in the Western Conference finals, but he chipped in 15 points, five assists and one heady foul in crunch time to help lift San Antonio past Oklahoma City in Game 7. The two-time All-Star should enjoy more freedom to operate against New York, assuming he's able to heal up before the series tips.

After making just one playoff appearance in seven-plus seasons with the Sacramento Kings before his 2025 trade to the Spurs, Fox is now in position to join Jayson Tatum as the only 2017 lottery picks to win a championship.

Playoff stats: 14.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 58.6% FG, 34.1% 3-pt

Bridges' renaissance has been one of the best stories of the playoffs: After looking helpless throughout much of the first round against the Atlanta Hawks , the well-rounded forward returned to form and made a positive impact on both ends against the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers .

With this shaping up to be a physical Finals matchup against the Spurs, Bridges' poor free throw rate could draw scrutiny: He attempted only 98 free throws in 2,692 minutes during the regular season, ranking eighth worst among players who logged at least 1,500 minutes.

Playoff stats: 13.0 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, 1.4 SPG, 41.1% FG, 35.6% 3-pt

Vassell's patience through San Antonio's pre-Wembanyama rebuilding years has paid off handsomely, and he has proved to be a quality complementary scorer who does a little bit of everything in his first playoff run. While his chief responsibility is to keep opponents from overloading on San Antonio's stars, he scraps and claws as a rebounder and multi-positional defender.

Playoff stats: 13.1 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 52.5% FG, 36.4% 3-pt

The No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft has looked like a future perennial All-Star at times in his first playoff run. Already one of the NBA's best finishers around the basket, Harper's handle, poise and smooth shooting stroke make him an absurd scoring threat for San Antonio's second unit.

If not for a minor hamstring injury that impacted his consistency midway the Western Conference finals, Harper would be a spot or two higher on this list.

Playoff stats: 11.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 APG, 1.3 SPG, 45.4% FG, 39.3% 3-pt

On paper, the undrafted and unheralded Champagnie might seem like the forgotten man among San Antonio's starters. In reality, he's a model of reliability who hasn't missed a game in two seasons and has hit countless backbreaking 3-pointers over the past six weeks.

During San Antonio's closeout wins over the Portland Trail Blazers , Minnesota Timberwolves and Thunder, Champagnie has averaged 19.0 points and shot 15-of-26 (57.7%) from deep.

Playoff stats: 11.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.8 SPG, 44.3% FG, 30.3% 3-pt

Hart's grit, hustle, unselfishness and sense of humor help explain why Knicks fever has swept through the Big Apple. The pertinent question now, though, is whether his shaky outside shooting will throw a kink into New York's offensive machine. The Knicks' starters have logged the most minutes of any five-man lineup during the playoffs, but Hart looms as a possible weak link if he can't make the Spurs pay for leaving him open.

Playoff stats: 5.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 0.3 APG, 0.6 BPG, 73.7% FG, 30.2% FT

The pickup-truck-loving 7-footer recently had surgery to address a broken pinkie on his right hand, but he plans to be a full go for the Finals. Robinson's elite rebounding and willingness to do the dirty work make him a valuable contributor, but his abominable 30.2% free throw shooting has prompted hacking tactics by rival coaches in the playoffs.

Playoff stats: 8.7 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 0.9 APG, 0.7 SPG, 41.7% FG, 36.0% 3-pt

Johnson, San Antonio's longest-tenured player, has seen his production and scoring efficiency drop since the regular season, when he was named Sixth Man of the Year . Despite those struggles, Johnson's experience, leadership, physicality and timely 3-pointers helped the Spurs survive the Thunder.

Playoff stats: 5.7 PPG, 0.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, 55.3% FG, 60.0% 3-pt

Shamet has made the most of his limited playoff minutes, shooting a blistering 60% from deep during the playoffs and providing crucial bench scoring to help seal New York's last two series wins. The 29-year-old guard should expect much tougher shot quality against the Spurs.

Playoff stats: 6.9 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.1 APG, 37.3% FG, 42.9% 3-pt

The Knicks would love McBride to get hot from deep in the Finals, just as he did by hitting seven 3-pointers to sweep the 76ers out of the second round. Failing that, they would settle for better consistency: The hot-and-cold guard has been held under five points in five of New York's 14 playoff games.

Playoff stats: 4.5 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 0.8 APG, 0.9 BPG, 58.9% FG

Being Wembanyama's backup is one of those jobs that comes with lowered expectations, so it was exhilarating to watch Kornet make the biggest defensive play of the postseason with a transition block on Isaiah Hartenstein in Game 7 of the West finals.

Wembanyama's increased workload in the playoffs has come at Kornet's expense, but the nine-year veteran, who won a title with the Boston Celtics in 2024, could help counter New York's vaunted offensive rebounding.

Playoff stats: 2.9 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 0.9 APG, 48.7% FG, 38.5% 3-pt

The 20-year-old rookie looks like another long-term keeper for San Antonio thanks to his size and defensive potential. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson has gradually gone away from Bryant in bigger games, a trend that could continue with the Larry O'Brien Trophy at stake.

Playoff stats: 4.2 PPG, 0.9 RPG, 1.1 APG, 0.7 SPG, 48.8% FG, 40.9% 3-pt

The feisty Brooklyn native was welcomed with open arms by his hometown fans after the Knicks acquired him from the New Orleans Pelicans in a midseason trade. Alvarado's energy could prove useful in matching up with San Antonio's aggressive backcourt.

Playoff stats: 5.4 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 0.7 APG, 47.5% FG, 15.4% 3-pt

While the 2021 Sixth Man of the Year can still get buckets at age 33, he has shot a paltry 15.4% on 3-pointers during New York's playoff run, and his poor defensive metrics could make him

_Originally reported by [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/48939213/ranking-every-player-2026-nba-finals-knicks-spurs-brunson-wembanyama)._