It’s like it’s 1999 all over again.
Twenty-seven years after meeting in the NBA Finals, the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs will meet once more for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Game One of the best-of-seven series is set for Wednesday, June 3, at San Antonio’s Frost Bank Center. Tipoff time is at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC.
San Antonio won the 1999 NBA Finals 4-1 to capture its first-ever title and spark a five-championship dynasty that lasted until 2014.
The 1999 runner-up finish was the Knicks’ last time reaching the finals until this year. That New York team featured current Florida A&M head men’s basketball coach Charlie Ward, who started at point guard.
“To see them go back to the finals over all these years, that’s just a great feeling,” Ward told the Tallahassee Democrat. “When you’ve been a part of something, and that’s the last time, you wouldn’t expect that. But just grateful I was a part of some of the great moments with the New York Knicks.”
After a Heisman Trophy and national championship-winning college football career as the Florida State Seminoles’ quarterback, Ward charted a different professional sports career path.
He chose basketball after issuing an ultimatum that he would not play in the National Football League unless selected in the first round of the 1994 draft.
Also a record-breaking point guard at FSU, Ward generated pre-NBA Draft buzz and was selected 26th overall by New York in 1994. He would play nine and a half seasons with the Knicks and coincidentally spend half a season with the New York’s upcoming NBA Finals opponent, San Antonio, before retiring with the Houston Rockets in 2005.
Ward is the lone Heisman winner to play in the NBA and the only FSU athlete to have jerseys retired in multiple sports.
Since retiring from playing and beginning a successful coaching career, Ward has cheered on the team that chose him as their floor general on that life-changing night in June 1994.
Through the struggles of the 2000s, up into the Knicks now knocking on the door of their first NBA Finals championship trophy since 1973.
“It’s been a very rewarding season,” Ward said. “Being in New York for nine and a half seasons of my 11 years, that’s kind of who I associate with a lot more.”
Charlie Ward watches Jalen Brunson blossom into Knicks star
The Knicks have a tall task ahead of them ― literally.
The Spurs are led by Western Conference Finals Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year Victor Wembanyama, a 7-foot-4 all-level scorer and shot blocker.
During San Antonio’s West Conference Finals win over defending NBA Champions Oklahoma City Thunder, the Frenchman, nicknamed ‘The Alien,’ averaged 27.3 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 2.7 blocks, and 1.4 steals while shooting 48.1%.
In contrast, New York has a small point guard in Jalen Brunson, a 6-foot-2 bucket-getter. Named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, Brunson led a sweep over the Cleveland Cavaliers with averages of 25.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds while shooting 47.8% from the field.
Brunson’s father, Rick, was Ward’s Knicks teammate for three seasons, including the 1999 finals run. Rick Brunson is now an assistant coach for the Knicks.
“For Jalen, who was around in ’99 to see it as well, to see him taking the team back to the finals, it’s another great feeling,” Ward said of the 29-year-old NBA All-Star.
Will Charlie Ward be at the NBA Finals? Absolutely.
New York has a who’s who of NBA greats who suited up in the Knicks Blue and Orange, Walt ‘Clyde’ Frazier, Patrick Ewing, and Carmelo Anthony, to name a few.
They’re often seen sitting courtside alongside other franchise legends at Madison Square Garden. Ward plans to join the crew following his FAMU basketball high school team camp in Tallahassee from June 5 to June 7.
Ward says he will be at The Garden for June 10’s Game Four, the second home game for the Knicks of the finals series.
“To be able to have an opportunity to go back is always a great blessing for me and my family to do that,” Ward said.
The last time Ward attended a Knicks game was Game One of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers. Indiana star Tyrese Halilburton hit a wild, high-arcing jumpshot as time expired to force overtime, and the Pacers beat the Knicks in the series opener and ultimately in the series to book a trip to the NBA Finals.
Ward hopes for a different outcome this time, as he heads to the Big Apple.
“Hopefully, I’ll bring those kinds of vibes back to Game Four,” he said.
New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs NBA Finals Schedule
All games start at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Gerald Thomas, III, is a multi-time national award-winning reporter for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Why Knicks-Spurs NBA Finals rematch is special to FAMU’s Charlie Ward
Reporting by Gerald Thomas III, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
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