Popular ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins has never hidden his admiration for New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, and he
Popular ESPN NBA analyst Kendrick Perkins has never hidden his admiration for New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, and he believes he will carry his team to the NBA Finals this season. But he also feels that is as far as NY will go in 2025-26.
The Eastern Conference is as wide open as it’s been in years heading into the new season. The Boston Celtics moved on from not only Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Jrue Holiday this summer, but top star Jayson Tatum is expected to be sidelined all season as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon.
The team that beat New York in last season’s East Finals, the Indiana Pacers, won’t have Tyrese Haliburton all season and lost Myles Turner in free agency. Plus, the Milwaukee Bucks might take a step back after cutting ties with All-Star future Hall of Famer Damian Lillard. The path for the Knicks to get to the Finals is as good as it’s ever been.
That is probably why Perkins expected the Knickerbockers to get to the championship series in June. Especially because he isn’t a big believer in the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“I do think the Knicks should be the favorite to make it to the NBA Finals in the Eastern Conference,” he said on a Thursday media call [h/t Ian Begley]. “I know a lot of people picked the Cavs. I’m not a fan or a believer of the Cavs. I’m to the point now where they have to show me. Especially with a Donovan Mitchell-led team. So I’m banking on the Knicks making it to the NBA Finals.”
Also Read: NBA Predictions for Every Team’s Record, Playoff Brackets & Finals Winner in 25-26 Season
Kendrick Perkins predicts the New York Knicks lose in 2026 NBA Finals
While Perkins sees big things for the Knicks in the upcoming season, it doesn’t mean he expects them to win New York its first NBA title since 1973. In fact, he believes multiple teams in the Western Conference would beat them in a potential finals matchup.
“You know I’m a ‘Big Body’ Brunson fan, but I think that the championship is going to stay in the Western Conference. I think all the teams are just better, regardless of who makes it. Whether it’s Denver, OKC, Dallas, or Houston,” he said. “… As far as them winning it all, I can’t say that. The NBA champion is going to be a team from out West.”
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