Charles Barkley did not hold back after Game 2 of the NBA Finals, saying Victor Wembanyama is struggling while Karl-Anthony Towns has taken control of the matchup.
The Knicks edged the Spurs 105-104 on Friday to take a 2-0 series lead, and the final minutes only made the pressure around Wembanyama feel heavier.
This series is no longer just about box-score production. It is about force, timing and who can control the matchup when the game gets tight.
Charles Barkley says Victor Wembanyama is spinning in NBA Finals
Speaking in a clip shared by Awful Announcing, Barkley pointed to Towns’ physical play as the difference through the first two games.
“Wemby’s in shock right now. It’s probably been a long time since he got his a__ kicked like this… Wemby’s spinning… He’s 22. He’s gonna own the league soon. But right now, big KAT is just taking his a__ to the woodshed. Plain and simple.”
It was a blunt take, but Barkley was not writing off Wembanyama’s future. He was making a present-tense point about a young star learning how different the Finals feel.
Game 2 showed both sides of that lesson. Wembanyama had 29 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, but also had a costly turnover in the final moments that helped New York seal the win.
Karl-Anthony Towns gives Knicks edge over Spurs star
Towns finished Game 2 with 21 points, 13 rebounds and four assists, and his steady interior presence helped the Knicks survive San Antonio’s late push.
That followed an 18-point, 12-rebound effort in Game 1, when New York also won on the road and immediately put San Antonio under pressure.
Wembanyama’s numbers have not been empty, but they have been uneven. He had 26 points, 12 rebounds and six turnovers in Game 1, then improved his efficiency in Game 2 while still making the decisive late mistake.
To his credit, Wembanyama owned it afterward. He admitted he threw the possession away, said he regretted it and made clear he would use it as fuel for the next game.
That is the real test now. Barkley’s words sounded harsh, but the larger point is fair. Towns looks ready for this stage, and Wembanyama has to prove he can take control of it before the series gets away from San Antonio.
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