After the New York Knicks edged the San Antonio Spurs 105-104 in Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals, Charles Barkley made a bold Finals MVP call—insisting Karl-Anthony Towns is the player who has earned the honor so far, not Jalen Brunson, despite Brunson’s late bu
The night felt like a test the Knicks had been studying for—one stop. one possession. one breath at a time. In Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Finals. New York withstood a late surge from the San Antonio Spurs to pull out a 105-104 win. putting the franchise just two wins away from ending a 53-year title drought.
Jalen Brunson delivered the final moments when the game tightened. He hit a tough midrange bucket to tie the score at 104, and then came up with an all-important steal that led to free throws to seal the win. The finish belonged to him.
But Charles Barkley’s Finals MVP verdict doesn’t.
Barkley made it clear on Inside the NBA: “The MVP of the Finals is gonna be Karl-Anthony Towns. That man earned his flowers.”
His reasoning carried the weight of something fans could feel watching the first half unfold. Karl-Anthony Towns was dominant early. outplaying Victor Wembanyama in the first half and making the Spurs star’s night difficult all night long. Even with Brunson’s late-game impact. the Knicks wouldn’t have been in as advantageous a position without Towns’ control of the matchup.
Towns’ presence wasn’t limited to a box score either. Barkley and others have been pointing to Towns’ all-around play. including how he’s been performing on the glass and how he attacks the basket with aggression on offense. That combination has shifted the frontcourt battle in a way Chet Holmgren could never do against the Spurs. according to the way Towns’ defense and offense have been described through the series.
The stakes are obvious now. The Knicks are in cloud nine. and the next two games are at home—two wins away from the end of that 53-year wait. But there’s also the quiet question hovering over every possession: if the series had ended today. Towns would have a strong case to win NBA Finals MVP honors.
And even as the job isn’t finished. the early rhythm of the Finals points to Towns being the centerpiece the Knicks keep turning toward—especially as he continues to meet the challenge of defending Wembanyama. If the stars keep aligning in New York. Barkley’s pick may age better than anyone expected from a player whose late-game share of the spotlight came from Brunson.
MISRYOUM Sports NBA Finals 2026 New York Knicks San Antonio Spurs Jalen Brunson Karl-Anthony Towns Victor Wembanyama Charles Barkley Finals MVP
Barkley be saying wild stuff again lol. Finals MVP shoulda been Brunson after that steal.
I didn’t even know they had a Finals MVP already like in the middle of it. Towns “earned flowers”?? Brunson literally took over at the end.
Wait so who won Game 2 like Spurs? Because the score was 105-104 but I’m seeing clips where it looked like San Antonio had it. Either way Barkley picking Towns makes sense or whatever, but if Jalen hit the bucket to tie… idk.
Karl-Anthony Towns? That’s kinda random, I thought Wembanyama would be the Finals guy. Also Chet Holmgren?? why is his name in there like he’s actually on the Spurs, I’m so confused.