With the NBA Finals not fully set yet, Giannis Antetokounmpo is betting the New York Knicks will win it all—while Game 7 in the West decides whether Oklahoma City or San Antonio advances to face them.
Saturday night at the center of the basketball world comes down to one Game 7, even as the Eastern Conference picture is already clear for the New York Knicks.
For the first time in 27 years, the Knicks will represent the East. The team they face in the NBA Finals won’t be known until the Western Conference matchup reaches its final decision when either the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs advances after Game 7.
Whichever team survives the West is expected to open as the betting favorite. Antetokounmpo, though, is not looking past New York. The NBA superstar said he believes the Knicks will win the whole championship.
“I feel like the Knicks will win the whole thing,” Antetokounmpo said. “In basketball, there’s like a momentum. They won like 11 in a row. And you know, the city just rallies behind them.”
His comments put a spotlight on what New York has been living for: momentum and belief. Antetokounmpo pointed to a stretch where the Knicks have won 11 straight, and he framed the run as more than just a stat line. He also praised the environment inside Madison Square Garden, calling it “fire.”
The prediction lands with extra weight because the Knicks weren’t only being discussed as a title contender—they were also mentioned as potential landing spots in the ongoing conversation around Milwaukee’s superstar. with Antetokounmpo previously being linked to the Bucks. In that sense. New York’s sudden pull can feel like it’s expanding beyond basketball performance into the bigger chessboard of NBA destinations.
Trade talks around Antetokounmpo are still expected to continue. While a trade involving him appears likely to materialize sometime over the next few weeks leading up to the NBA draft. the Knicks could remain a potential destination. How far that goes may depend on what happens once the NBA Finals are decided—and what New York would be willing to part with in a potential trade package to acquire him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Knicks NBA Finals Game 7 Oklahoma City Thunder San Antonio Spurs Madison Square Garden title drought NBA trade rumors 27 years
Knicks haven’t won in forever but Giannis saying it means something.
Wait so is this saying Knicks are in the finals already? Cause I keep hearing different stuff like OKC vs San Antonio or whatever. Either way MSG “fire” is accurate.
He’s backing the Knicks but I thought Giannis would never leave Milwaukee? This article makes it sound like they’re setting up a trade package in the next few weeks leading to the draft… like okay so is he already gone or what. 27 years though, that’s crazy, but momentum doesn’t win games by itself.
Game 7 determines the West and then the NBA Finals are just like automatic after that? I’m confused how it works, but I guess if the Spurs win then the Knicks win too? Also Giannis backing them feels like reverse psychology because everyone wants the Bucks superteam gone lol. Madison Square Garden “fire” though, I’ll give them that.