What Doc Rivers has said about 2026 NBA Finals

Rivers argues the Finals turned after Game 3 when Mike Brown complained about fouls, after which officiating favored Brunson.

“But I thought where the game and the series changed was after game three”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 4:19

Rivers contends that Castle's foul trouble in Game 4 was overlooked and allowed Brunson's big comeback stretch.

“So Brunson, that whole 29-point stretch... did it without having to deal with Castle. Yeah. And I thought that was huge for the Knicks and for Brunson”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 3:13

Rivers says the Knicks' edge in close games came from a veteran team knowing its late-game identity and having a closer.

“the Knicks know exactly who they are the last five minutes of a game. They know exactly what they're running”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 7:15

Rivers says he would have called a timeout before Wembanyama's turnover only because the Spurs are so young.

“The only reason I would have called it, and I said it right away, is because they're so young”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: 2026 Finals Lessons, Giannis’s Next Stop, Brunson’s Apex, and Mike Brown’s Magic Touch With Doc Rivers (Jun 17, 2026) · Listen from 1:49:12

Rivers said that in any single-possession game he would favor the Knicks because they know exactly what they do down the stretch.

“if you told anyone, at least with me, before the game is going to come down to a single possession game, you're going to favor the Knicks because the Knicks know exactly what they're doing”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Knicks Land a Haymaker, With Doc Rivers. Plus, a Mini-Mailbag, the End of 'Euphoria,' and a Movies Resurgence With Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan. (Jun 4, 2026) · Listen from 1:55

Rivers said he could not pick a series winner, calling the Finals too close to call.

“I bet I was asked it 50 times, Bill, and my same answer was, I don't know”

The Bill Simmons Podcast: The Knicks Land a Haymaker, With Doc Rivers. Plus, a Mini-Mailbag, the End of 'Euphoria,' and a Movies Resurgence With Joanna Robinson and Chris Ryan. (Jun 4, 2026) · Listen from 20:18