Charles Barkley announces the 2026 NBA Finals MVP, it’s not Victor Wembanyama or Jalen Brunson

Charles Barkley has already made his NBA Finals MVP call after the New York Knicks opened a 2-0 lead over the San Antonio Spurs.

The obvious names were there for the conversation. New York has its closer, while San Antonio has the superstar who still feels like the league’s future.

Barkley, though, looked past both and picked the player whose two-way work has shaped the first two games of the series.

Charles Barkley picks Karl-Anthony Towns as New York Knicks Finals MVP

Ohnohedidnt24 shared Charles Barkley’s NBA Finals MVP pick, with the Hall of Famer giving Karl-Anthony Towns credit for controlling the series against the San Antonio Spurs.

“The MVP of the Finals is going to be Karl-Anthony Towns. He has played two of the best games I’ve ever seen a big man play,” Barkley said.

Chuck added, “He was great in Game 1. He was great in Game 2. That man earned his flowers.”

The numbers give Barkley a strong case. Towns had 18 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists in Game 1, then followed with 21 points and 13 rebounds in New York’s 105-104 Game 2 win.

Those performances have not been empty production. Towns has given the Knicks size, scoring balance, rebounding, and the physical resistance needed to make Victor Wembanyama work for everything.

Karl-Anthony Towns has NBA Finals MVP case over Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama

Jalen Brunson still owns New York’s biggest late-game moments, and Wembanyama nearly dragged San Antonio back in Game 2 with a second-half surge. Towns’ argument is different because it stretches across both ends.

He has been efficient without needing to dominate the ball, while Brunson had to battle through a difficult shooting night in Game 2. Towns has also carried a demanding defensive assignment against Wembanyama, which makes his offensive numbers more valuable.

Wembanyama’s raw numbers are strong, but the Spurs are down 2-0. Towns is producing for the team in control of the series, and his matchup impact has helped define why New York has survived both games.

Barkley may be early, but he is not being reckless. Through two games, Towns has given the Knicks exactly the kind of steady, bruising, two-way presence that can win Finals MVP votes.

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