How impressive are the Knicks' 12-game winning streak? NBA official data comparison shows they rival the 1999 Spurs and 2017 Warriors.

During Game 1 of the Finals, the Knicks beat the Spurs 105-95 away from home, rallying from a 14-point hole to secure their 12th straight playoff victory. This streak equals the NBA's second-longest playoff winning streak in a single season, alongside the 1999 Spurs' 12 wins; the Spurs' last two wins of that streak were in Games 1 and 2 of the Finals, and their opponent was none other than the Knicks.

The longest playoff winning streak in NBA history belongs to the 2017 Warriors, who started the postseason with 15 straight wins, falling just one game short of a perfect playoff run. The NBA's official website compared the data of these three legendary streak teams—

1. Net rating: The Knicks hold a commanding lead

Over their 12-game streak, the Knicks outscored opponents by a total of 272 points, 30 more than the Warriors' total net points during their 15-game streak; the Warriors had 12 wins by double digits in those 15 games. The Knicks won 11 of their 12 games by double digits, with five victories by 29 points or more.

2. Comparison of offensive and defensive metrics

To achieve such an eye-popping net rating, elite performance on both ends of the floor is essential. Compared to the league average in each respective playoff year, the Knicks simultaneously boasted the best offense and best defense during their streak:

3. Strength of opponent schedule: The Knicks slightly lag behind

Among the three comparisons, the only weakness for the Knicks is the relatively low overall regular-season winning percentage of the opponents they faced during the streak. The last 11 opponents of the Warriors' 15-game streak all had at least 51 wins in the regular season, including four matchups against the 61-win Spurs.

However, the 2026 Spurs (62-20, a 75.6% winning percentage) are the strongest opponent encountered by any of the three teams during their respective streaks. If the Knicks can secure three more wins over the Spurs (even if they don't sweep and fail to match the Warriors' 15-game streak), this Knicks team has a chance to be ranked among the greatest playoff teams in history.

After watching Game 1 of the Finals, which team do you think will win the championship this season? What will the final series score be? Feel free to leave your thoughts below.