Karl-Anthony Towns couldn’t resist poking a little fun at the Brooklyn Nets during a celebration that was supposed to be all about the Knicks’ long-awaited championship. Appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers after New York’s 2026 NBA Finals win over the San Antonio Spurs, the big man took a playful jab that had the studio audience howling.
“It was so amazing to see our team bring together New York,” Towns said with a grin. “I’ve never seen all five boroughs get together. Hell, I saw Brooklyn celebrating for the Knicks, and they have a whole team [the Nets].”
The comment hit right at a sore spot for the franchise just across the East River. While the Nets have called Brooklyn home since 2012, they’ve never lifted a championship trophy—despite some genuinely loaded rosters over the years.
New York’s Forgotten Franchise
The Nets have had their moments. Jason Kidd led them to back-to-back NBA Finals appearances in 2002 and 2003. They later rolled out lineups featuring Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and—most recently—the superstar trio of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden. But in every case, the championship hardware stayed out of reach.
Meanwhile, the Knicks spent over two decades wandering in the wilderness before finally breaking through. Their rebuild centered on Jalen Brunson, followed by the acquisitions of Towns himself, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges. The pieces clicked at exactly the right time.
What the Title Means
Towns’ jab isn’t just trash talk—it reflects a real power shift in New York basketball. For years, the Nets were seen as the savvier, more modern organization, while the Knicks slogged through front-office dysfunction and losing seasons. Now the Knicks have the ring, the spotlight, and apparently the ability to turn Brooklyn into a sea of blue and orange.
Will the Nets answer back this offseason? For now, they’re watching the Knicks celebrate—and listening to jokes at their expense.
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