Knicks defeat the Nets 114-104 in Towns’ return

The New York Knicks extended their dominance over the Brooklyn Nets with a convincing 114-104 win at Madison Square Garden, making it nine straight victories against their crosstown rivals.

Karl-Anthony Towns, back after sitting out a game, was the driving force, putting up  26 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists in a performance that left the Nets scrambling for answers.

The Knicks held a slim 60-57 lead at halftime, but the third quarter turned into the Karl-Anthony Towns show. He erupted for 14 points in the frame, powering the Knicks to a 35-24 quarter and creating a cushion the Nets couldn’t close. Towns was simply unstoppable, using his size, skill, and strength to dominate on both ends of the floor.

OG Anunoby delivered another outstanding performance with 24 points and 8 rebounds, while Mikal Bridges chipped in 21 points. Josh Hart flirted with 20 points to go with 8 rebounds and 8 assists, showing his versatility yet again.

Jalen Brunson had an off night offensively, shooting just 3-14 from the field for 12 points, but he orchestrated the offense masterfully, finishing with a game-high 10 assists. It was a team effort for the Knicks, who racked up an impressive 33 assists while bringing intensity on the defensive side, out-rebounding the Nets 47-35 and controlling the paint with a 50-24 scoring advantage.

“Playing the same team twice, it’s not easy to do. Came out, played hard on both sides of the ball. But our rebounding was good. Defense good. So just keep building, keep getting better.”

– Tom Thibodeau

Cameron Payne continued to be a reliable contributor off the bench, hitting three triples for 9 points and adding 6 assists. Since his return from injury, Payne has provided much-needed depth behind Brunson.

For the Nets, Cameron Johnson led the way with 22 points, while Cam Thomas and Dorian Finney-Smith added 16 each. Jalen Wilson contributed 15 points off the bench, but the Nets lacked the firepower to match the Knicks’ well-rounded attack. Notably, no Nets player finished with a double-double, underscoring their struggles on the boards and in the paint.

The Knicks also outpaced the Nets in transition, scoring 16 fast-break points compared to the Nets’ 8. It was a complete effort that showcased their ability to dominate inside and out, even on a night when their point guard struggled to score.

With this victory, the Knicks improved their record to 9-0 against their cross-town rivals, a streak that has become as much about grit as it is about skill. At this point, the Nets must be wondering what it will take to solve the Knicks.

Before tip-off, the Knicks added a touch of flair to the night by unveiling their 2024-25 City Edition jerseys. While the design remained identical to last year’s fan-favorite look, this year’s edition features a fresh twist with home colors. The sleek uniforms, blending tradition with modernity, were a hit with the Madison Square Garden crowd, adding an extra spark to an already exciting matchup.