Jalen Brunson knows the scale of the physical challenge that awaits the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals, as they prepare to go on the road for Game 1 against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Knicks swept the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 1998-99, when they were beaten 4-1 by the Spurs.

Chasing their third NBA championship and their first since 1973, the Knicks will come up against a ferocious defense led by Victor Wembanyama.

The Spurs kept back-to-back NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander quiet for long periods of the Western Conference finals, winning the last two games to eliminate the Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3. 

And Brunson knows what to expect on Wednesday, saying: "Yeah, they're very physical. The way they play, obviously, they're able to apply pressure on the perimeter.

"Obviously, having Wemby down there on the weak side creates havoc. They're multidimensional, with a lot of ways they can beat you on both sides of the ball."

Stephon Castle was one of the main factors in San Antonio's success over the Thunder, holding Gilgeous-Alexander to 45.5% shooting from the floor in the possessions where he defended him, 9.8% worse than his regular-season average.

Castle also held Brunson to 0-for-4 shooting from the floor in 29.1 partial possessions defending him, in the two games Opta has tracking data for between the teams this season.  

"He's great. I think his intensity and tenacity is special," Brunson said of Castle. "He plays with a chip on his shoulder. 

"He's had that since I've seen him at UConn. The way he's played over these first couple years of his career, he's going to be a great player, great defender."

The NBA Finals tip off Wednesday night in San Antonio.

The Spurs have won five NBA championships, including against the Knicks in 1999 and most recently in 2014. The Knicks have won two titles (1970 and 1973). pic.twitter.com/uo6EYE4say

— Opta Analyst US (@OptaAnalystUS) May 31, 2026

Following their Game 7 victory over the Thunder, Wembanyama was among the San Antonio players that spoke with legendary former head coach Gregg Popovich.

"I saw Pop right away when we landed," Wembanyama said. "The emotion was something I haven't felt in a while, I don't even know since when. 

"Coming back down from this is a challenge. We still need to really come back down to Earth and realise we haven't done the hardest task yet."

Having worked under Popovich, Mitch Johnson took on the role of head coach following his move to the front office last year, and he still seeks advice from his former boss.

Johnson said: "The relationship has stayed the same in terms of feedback, discussion, challenging each other, me asking him a lot of questions, him giving me a lot of wisdom.

"He's a pretty good resource for what I've been walking through since October and up until now. I could not have created a better rhythm or build-out of him being a constant resource for me, but then also totally giving me the freedom and runway to try to roll this thing out in my own reflection."

San Antonio are at home for Games 1 and 2, the latter of which takes place on Friday, before heading to Madison Square Garden for Game 3 on Monday.