ESPN predicts Spurs as champions! Finals 4-2 victory over Celtics: Wembanyama to win FMVP

On April 14 Beijing time, ESPN conducted a comprehensive forecast for the 2025-26 NBA playoffs, ultimately concluding that the Spurs will become this season's champions, defeating the Celtics 4-2 in the Finals, with 22-year-old Wembanyama becoming the Finals MVP.

This season, the Spurs and Celtics faced each twice, with the Spurs winning both games. In one match, nearly all key players from both sides were healthy (only Pritchard was absent for the Celtics). The Spurs secured victory relying on a significant free-throw advantage, which is likely to persist in the Finals—the Celtics rank 30th (last) in offensive free-throw rate this season, while the Spurs lead the league in limiting opponents' free-throw rate.

The key point is that the Spurs won those two games despite shooting only 33% from three-point range, which could be a crucial aspect of this series. The Celtics this season allow the highest opponent three-point attempt rate in the league; coach Joe Mazzulla's defensive strategy focuses on packing the paint, and they are likely to employ this against the Spurs, given that the Spurs' biggest weakness may be inconsistent outside shooting.

However, the Spurs' three-point performance has notably improved recently. Through February 5, they averaged 12.9 threes per game (ranked 19th) with a 34.6% accuracy (ranked 24th); but since then, their average threes per game rose to 14.7 (ranked 8th) with a high 37.9% accuracy (ranked 3rd). Castle and Harper both shot over 40% from three during this period.

ESPN forecasts that the Spurs will hit enough open threes, countering the Celtics' defensive approach, and complete a legendary journey from missing the playoffs to lifting the championship trophy within a year. The final predicted outcome is Spurs 4-2 Celtics. Wembanyama will join Spurs legends Duncan and Kawhi as Finals MVP, officially ushering in the NBA's "Wembanyama era."

ESPN predicts the Spurs' path to the Finals: first round 4-0 sweep of the Suns, second round 4-3 victory over the Nuggets, Western Conference Finals 4-2 elimination of the Thunder.

ESPN predicts the Celtics' path to the Finals: first round 4-1 elimination of the 76ers, second round 4-2 win over the Knicks, Eastern Conference Finals 4-2 defeat of the Pistons.

Who do you think will win this year's championship? Feel free to share your views in the comments.