Draymond Green predicted the New York Knicks will win the 2026 NBA Finals during an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” backing the team that currently leads the San Antonio Spurs 2-0 in the championship series.
When Kimmel asked Green who he thought would win, the Golden State Warriors forward answered directly: “I think the Knicks are going to win.” Kimmel responded with a joke about the Knicks potentially warming to Green, who has made controversial comments about the team in the past.
Green’s prediction came before Game 3 of the Finals, which took place at Madison Square Garden—the first NBA Finals game at the historic venue since 1999, when the Spurs defeated the Knicks in a five-game series. The current matchup marks a rematch of that championship, 27 years later, with the Knicks positioned to end their long Finals drought.
Green’s public backing represents a shift in his recent commentary on the Knicks. Earlier in the postseason, he had downplayed their championship prospects, arguing they lacked a true “1A” star needed to win a title. However, as the Knicks dominated their playoff path—winning 12 of 13 games en route to the Finals—Green acknowledged their accomplishment, saying on his podcast that their performance was “no fluke.”
The Warriors star has maintained a running commentary on the 2026 playoffs through his podcast and television appearances, offering analysis on teams and players throughout the postseason. His Finals prediction adds his voice to the broader discussion surrounding the Knicks’ unexpected championship run after a 27-year absence from the Finals.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports — Draymond Green’s quote on Jimmy Kimmel Live predicting the Knicks to win
- HoopsHype — Verbatim exchange between Kimmel and Green on the show
- Warriors Wire — Confirmation of Green’s Finals prediction and the Knicks’ 1-0 series lead
- MSN — Background on the 1999 Finals rematch and playoff experience context
