Who’ll Win the 2026 NBA Finals Now that the NBA regular season has ended, all attention shifts to the playoffs, where every possession becomes more intense and every mistake can be costly. Alongside the on-court action, one interesting storyline has emerged from league-wide opinion: an anonymous player poll conducted by The Athletic.
This survey asked NBA players to predict which team—excluding their own—would win the 2026 NBA championship. Because responses were anonymous, players could answer honestly without worrying about public reactions or locker-room consequences.
Who’ll Win the 2026 NBA Finals Insights from the Player Poll
A total of 161 players were surveyed, and 146 responded, making it one of the more representative snapshots of league thinking heading into the postseason.
A Wide Field of Championship Candidates
The poll included nearly every major contender in the league:
- Defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder
- Rising young powerhouse San Antonio Spurs
- Traditional contenders like the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets
- Eastern Conference leaders Detroit Pistons
Each of these teams represents a different style of success—whether through youth, experience, star power, or defensive dominance.
This diversity of contenders shows how unpredictable the league has become, with no single dominant dynasty like in previous eras.
Regular Season Dominance and Expectations
The Oklahoma City Thunder entered the conversation as the clear favorites. They finished the regular season with an impressive 64–18 record, establishing themselves as the most consistent and balanced team in the league.
Their success is built on elite defense, strong team chemistry, and star leadership from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is widely considered a top MVP candidate Who’ll Win the 2026 NBA Finals.
Why Players Trust Them
Players in the poll consistently praised the Thunder for their dominance and maturity. One anonymous player summarized it simply:
“They’re the most dominant team.”
This reflects a league-wide respect for Oklahoma City’s ability to perform under pressure and maintain consistency throughout the season…Read more
Why They Still Only Got 50% of Votes
Despite being the favorite, the Thunder received only 50% of the votes.
This is significant because previous championship favorites in similar polls received much higher support. For example:
- Warriors (2019): nearly 80%
- Bucks (2023): over 60%
- Nuggets (2024): mid-50% range
- Celtics (2025): high-50% range
The relatively lower number suggests that while players respect Oklahoma City, many still see vulnerabilities or strong competition from other teams.
What This Means
Even as champions, the Thunder are not viewed as unbeatable. Instead, they are seen as the top team in a highly competitive field rather than a guaranteed repeat champion.
San Antonio Spurs: Rising Confidence in a Young Powerhouse
One of the biggest surprises in the poll is the San Antonio Spurs receiving 25.3% of the vote, placing them second overall.
This is especially notable because the Spurs are still building around a young core led by Victor Wembanyama.
Why Players Believe in Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama has quickly become one of the most impactful young players in the league. His combination of size, defensive ability, and offensive versatility makes him a unique matchup problem.
Players believe that his presence alone gives San Antonio a legitimate championship ceiling.
Challenges of Inexperience
However, concerns remain about playoff inexperience. The Spurs are entering the postseason after a long absence, and Wembanyama himself has never played in a playoff game.
Historically, most championship teams go through multiple playoff failures before winning a title. That experience gap is the biggest concern for San Antonio.
Why They Still Matter
Despite that, their athleticism, depth, and star potential make them one of the most dangerous “wildcard” contenders in the league.
Western Conference Strength: Why the West Still Dominates
Who’ll Win the 2026 NBA Finals The Western Conference continues to be viewed as stronger at the top level. Over the last 25 NBA seasons, Western teams have won 16 championships.
This historical trend heavily influences how players evaluate current contenders.
Denver Nuggets as a Steady Threat
The Denver Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić, received 7.5% of votes.
Their championship experience and elite offensive system keep them in the conversation every year.
Why Players Trust Denver
Many players emphasized one key idea: as long as Denver is healthy, they are a legitimate threat.
Nikola Jokić’s consistency and ability to control games make Denver one of the most reliable playoff teams in the league.
Detroit Pistons: Respect Without Full Confidence
The Detroit Pistons finished the season 60–22, securing the best record in the Eastern Conference and home-court advantage throughout the East playoffs.
This is a major achievement and signals their rise as a serious contender.
Why Players Respect Them
The Pistons are known for their physical style of play, defensive toughness, and high energy.
One player described them as extremely difficult to play against because they impose their physical identity on opponents.
Why They Still Got Low Votes
Despite their success, they received only 4.1% of votes. The main concerns include:
- Lack of deep playoff experience
- Injury concerns around Cade Cunningham
- Question marks about late-game execution
Overall Perception
Detroit is respected but not yet fully trusted as a championship-caliber team.
Boston Celtics and Eastern Conference Competition
The Boston Celtics received 8.2% of votes, the highest among Eastern Conference teams.
Strengths of Boston
Their case is built on:
- Star performances from Jaylen Brown
- Return of Jayson Tatum from injury
- Strong playoff experience
These factors make them one of the most stable contenders in the East.
History of Incorrect Predictions
Interestingly, past editions of this player poll have not accurately predicted the NBA champion.
In the last four editions:
- 2019 Warriors pick lost
- 2023 Bucks pick lost
- 2024 Nuggets pick lost
- 2025 Celtics pick lost
What This Suggests
This pattern suggests that player perception does not always match playoff outcomes.
While the poll reflects respect and expectations, the actual championship often comes down to unexpected playoff developments, injuries, and matchups…Read more
Final Thoughts: What the Poll Really Tells Us
The 2026 poll shows that the NBA does not have a single unstoppable force. Even the top team—the Thunder—only received half of the total votes.
Multiple Legitimate Contenders
At least three teams—the Thunder, Spurs, and Nuggets—are viewed as realistic title threats, while several others remain in the mix.
Playoffs Will Decide Everything
Ultimately, these predictions are only opinions. The real outcome will depend on execution, health, momentum, and adaptability during the postseason.
The only certainty is that the 2026 NBA playoffs will be highly competitive and unpredictable…Read more
