The 2026 NBA Finals return to San Antonio for Game 5 between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs.
Jalen Brunson and the Knicks will have a chance to close out the series on the road, having already won the first two games in the Frost Bank Center. The Spurs and the Knicks split the two games held in New York, giving the Knicks a 3-1 lead.
Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs will have to crawl back into the series after the team gave up a 29-point lead and lost Game 4 on Wednesday, June 10.
MORE: The Spurs may have topped 28-3 as sports’ most infamous collapse
The Knicks are searching for their first NBA championship since winning its only two in 1970 and 1973, but have already provided their fan base with a lot to be excited about after reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999.
Here’s what NBA experts think will happen in Game 5 of the series:
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) looks to shoot the ball against New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the fourth quarter of game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 10, 2026.
Knicks vs. Spurs Game 5 predictions
USA TODAY staff: Spurs will stand strong at home
The USA TODAY Sports staff is in agreement that the Spurs will force a Game 6 on Tuesday in Madison Square Garden. Here are the picks:
Lorenzo Reyes: Spurs 109, Knicks 106
James H. Williams: Spurs 105, Knicks 104
Scooby Axson: Spurs 121, Knicks 103
Mark Giannotto: Spurs 112, Knicks 105
Victoria Hernandez: Spurs 108, Knicks 105
Jon Hoefling: Spurs 104, Knicks 98
Dimers: Spurs will hold off Knicks
The website predicts the final score for Game 5 on Saturday has the Spurs winning 112-106. This prediction is based on each team’s average outcome following 10,000 game simulations.
ESPN: Spurs expected to beat Knicks
The website gives the Knicks a 43.2% shot at defeating San Antonio in the fifth game of the series.
How to watch Game 5 of the NBA Finals
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Where: Frost Bank Center (San Antonio, Texas)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NBA Finals Game 5 predictions: Will Spurs or Knicks win?
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