Jalen Brunson Keeps Finals Mvp Odds Open After 27-Point Start
Jalen Brunson has kept the finals mvp odds open through three games of the Knicks-Spurs series. He has averaged over 27 points despite injury and physical play from San Antonio, while New York still leads the 2026 NBA Finals race for the award after a split in momentum.
Brunson and Wembanyama
Brunson’s scoring has put him in the center of the race, but Victor Wembanyama stayed in it with 32 points in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. Wembanyama added eight rebounds, six assists and three blocks, the kind of line that keeps the conversation from narrowing too fast.
San Antonio’s Game 3 win cut into the Knicks’ early advantage after New York opened the Finals with two road victories and a 2-0 lead. That left the series open again, and it left the award race open with it.
Towns and Anunoby
Karl-Anthony Towns drew early MVP hype for his defense on Wembanyama and his role as a facilitator in the Knicks offense. OG Anunoby has also taken some of the Wemby assignment and has been one of New York’s most reliable offensive weapons.
That spread of responsibility is why this race has not settled around one player. Brunson owns the scoring edge so far, but Towns and Anunoby have each had stretches that matter in the vote if New York keeps the series in hand.
Bill Russell Award Race
The Bill Russell NBA Finals MVP award, named for Bill Russell in 2009, has been won by some of the league’s biggest names. Michael Jordan won it six times, Magic Johnson three times, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar two times and Larry Bird two times, and there have been 12 multi-time winners overall.
Since 2000, the list has also included all-time greats, surprises and controversial selections, which is why three games are enough to keep the field crowded. The winner for 2026 will be decided by the end of next week, and the next stretch of games will decide whether Brunson’s scoring, Wembanyama’s box score or New York’s balance lands the vote.
