Image by Operation Sports

Comparing the Knicks and Spurs in NBA 2K26

We have two teams with loaded rosters, but only one can be left standing.

Kyler Wolff

Published: Jun 3, 2026 12:00 pm

Tonight is game one of the 2026 NBA Finals, and it’s a very exciting year for the NBA as two of its premier franchises are back in it after years of mediocrity. The Spurs have had about a decade of disappointment after their success in the 2000s and early 2010s. For the Knicks, it’s been since 1999 since they’ve been to a championship and since 1973 when they won one! That’s 53 years for anyone counting at home.

Operation Sports App

Your ultimate companion for sports gaming. Access in-depth coverage, thoughtful discussion, and a community built around the games—and sports—you love.

Your ultimate sports gaming companion.

4.8

Team Overall Grades

These grades are based on the average of the top eight players on each team and should give us a good overview of each team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Knicks:

Overall: 85
Inside scoring: 79
Outside scoring: 87
Athleticism: 83
Playmaking: 73
Defense: 61
Rebounding: 58
Intangibles: 73

Spurs:

Overall: 85
Inside scoring: 77
Outside scoring: 86
Athleticism: 82
Playmaking: 79
Defense: 74
Rebounding: 60
Intangibles: 77

What these numbers tell me is that, despite the two teams technically having the same overall ratings, the Spurs do seem to have an advantage, at least in non-scoring attributes. The Knicks’ only advantages come from inside scoring, outside scoring, and athleticism, while the Spurs dominate defensively and in playmaking, and have a slight edge in rebounding.

Most of the differences likely stem from which bench players are counted in the top-eight formula; for instance, the Knicks count more shooters and guards than the Spurs do, which gives them an advantage in scoring but leaves them less dominant on the boards and defensively. Because of this, it’s best to break down the team position by position.

Starting Point Guards

Jalen Brunson, Knicks:

Overall: 96
Inside scoring: 71
Outside scoring: 94
Athleticism: 82
Playmaking: 90
Defense: 59
Rebounding: 40
Intangibles: 90

De’Aaron Fox, Spurs:

Overall: 86
Inside scoring: 53
Outside scoring: 84
Athleticism: 84
Playmaking: 85
Defense: 66
Rebounding: 44
Intangibles: 70

With 97 speed and 84 athleticism, De’Aaron Fox can blow past Brunson, but for what? His scoring in the paint is abysmal, and it’s not like either one is going to be dominating the glass, especially when Wemby and KAT are on the court.

I think, regarding what makes a point guard valuable (playmaking and creating opportunities for themselves and others to put up points), this round has got to go to the Knicks’ MVP, Jalen Brunson.

Starting Shooting Guards

Josh Hart, Knicks:

Overall: 82
Inside scoring: 59
Outside scoring: 80
Athleticism: 83
Playmaking: 75
Defense: 72
Rebounding: 67
Intangibles: 80

Stephon Castle, Spurs:

Overall: 88
Inside scoring: 63
Outside scoring: 85
Athleticism: 81
Playmaking: 82
Defense: 68
Rebounding: 55
Intangibles: 95

Josh Hart is the tougher, more experienced player, so he might be able to scrap together some plus performances in this series, especially at MSG, but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking he’s anything more than an above-average role player.

Castle is proving to be a key piece for the Spurs going forward, potentially the Robin to Wemby’s Batman in the coming years as their dynasty plays out. I’d give this round to Stephon and the Spurs, considering Castle outmatches Hart in all but three categories.

Starting Small Forwards

Mikal Bridges, Knicks:

Overall: 84
Inside scoring: 62
Outside scoring: 83
Athleticism: 84
Playmaking: 76
Defense: 78
Rebounding: 45
Intangibles: 50

Devin Vassell, Spurs:

Overall: 82
Inside scoring: 61
Outside scoring: 78
Athleticism: 78
Playmaking: 69
Defense: 69
Rebounding: 45
Intangibles: 60

Mikail Bridges isn’t the biggest name on the Knicks roster, and he often disappears into the background when discussing this team, but he’s a solid player with the abilities listed above.

Vassell trails Bridges in all but two categories: Rebounding, where they are tied with dismal numbers each, and intangibles, which are arguably the least important metric on this list. I can say without much controversy that the Knicks have the advantage at Small forward.

Starting Power Forwards

OG Anunoby, Knicks:

Overall: 88
Inside scoring: 62
Outside scoring: 84
Athleticism: 82
Playmaking: 58
Defense: 82
Rebounding: 53
Intangibles: 80

Julian Champagnie, Spurs:

Overall: 82
Inside scoring: 60
Outside scoring: 85
Athleticism: 70
Playmaking: 59
Defense: 60
Rebounding: 57
Intangibles: 90

These two players are surprisingly equal in a lot of different categories, which is surprising given that Anunoby has been one of the best players for the Knicks during their playoff run, and Julian Champagnie is a former undrafted player who seemingly came out of nowhere.

Anunoby should get the nod here, however, given his dominance as an athlete and defender, posting attribute grades that are over ten points better than Champagnie’s in each of those categories.

Starting Centers

Karl Anthony-Towns, Knicks:

Overall: 91
Inside scoring: 87
Outside scoring: 84
Athleticism: 83
Playmaking: 71
Defense: 60
Rebounding: 85
Intangibles: 85

Victor Wembanyama, Spurs:

Overall: 97
Inside scoring: 91
Outside scoring: 88
Athleticism: 80
Playmaking: 72
Defense: 88
Rebounding: 87
Intangibles: 95

Against most opponents l, KAT will have the advantage in most areas, but not against the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama is a freak of nature and will certainly be the X-factor for the Spurs in this series.

I think KAT’s only chance to mitigate some of Wemby’s freakish abilities on the court is to keep him out on the perimeter on defense and allow KAT’s shooting prowess (which I think is underrated in this game) to shine. Otherwise, Wemby will take over not only this positional battle but also the entire series.

Benches

Note: based on minutes played in the conference finals.

Knicks

Landry Shamet, 77 Overall
Miles McBride, 79 Overall
Mitchell Robinson, 80 Overall
Jordan Clarkson, 77 Overall
Jose Alvarado, 78 Overall

Spurs

Dylan Harper, 85 Overall
Keldon Johnson, 81 Overall
Luke Kornet, 78 Overall
Harrison Barnes, 77 Overall
Carter Bryant, 77 Overall

The Spurs have the more talented bench just based on overall rating, but what isn’t highlighted here is age. The Spurs bench, like the team as a whole, is extremely young, boasting two 20-year-olds, Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant, who are getting decent minutes off the bench.

The Knicks might not compare in terms of pure talent, but they are a much more mature team and could be competitive against these youngsters in the biggest moments.

Despite the age argument, I do have to give San Antonio the bench advantage, though.

Final Thoughts

I simulated the series a couple of times, and the Spurs came out on top in two of the three simulations. Still, I decided not to focus too much on those simulations in this article. It’s not just because I’m a Knicks fan (although it’s definitely a factor), it’s because NBA 2K doesn’t really account for the data that matters in the NBA.

The Knicks have the momentum, after sweeping their last two series and playing some of their best basketball ever in the midst of an 11-game win streak. The Knicks also have experience (after nearly beating the Pacers to reach the Finals last year) and fan support (New York is a large market with many win-starved fans desperate for a trophy).

I think from a purely physical and talent level, the Spurs might have the edge, but I think the Knicks have the mentality and momentum needed to just sneak by a team that, in a few years, could be an unbeatable powerhouse in the San Antonio Spurs.