New York Knicks Beat Brooklyn Nets In Battle Of the Boroughs
Another night, another chapter in the “Battle of the Boroughs,” and let’s be honest, it’s starting to feel less like a rivalry and more like a family gathering where the older cousin (the Knicks) just keeps winning the pickup game in the driveway. The New York Knicks strolled into the Barclays Center on Monday and, after a bit of a slow start, handled their business, taking down the Brooklyn Nets 113-110. That’s 12 straight wins against their crosstown rivals.
While the final score was close, the game felt like a foregone conclusion once the Knicks decided to flip the switch. For the Nets, it was another case of “almost,” a night where moral victories were the only things on the menu.
The Knicks’ Third-Quarter Haymaker
The Nets actually went into halftime with a bit of swagger, trailing by just three points. You could almost feel the hope brewing in Brooklyn. And then, the third quarter happened. The Knicks came out of the locker room like they’d just chugged a gallon of espresso and went on a rampage, outscoring the Nets 38-27.
It was a classic case of a contender putting its foot on the gas and leaving the rebuilding team in the dust. The Knicks’ offense, which had looked a bit sluggish, suddenly found its rhythm, shooting a blistering 64% and turning a tight game into a comfortable lead. For the Nets and their fans, it was a painful reminder of the gap between the two teams. It was the quarter that spelled doom, a 12-minute nightmare that Head Coach Jordi Fernandez probably wishes he could delete from the game tape.
Karl-Anthony Towns Owns the Paint
With Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby sidelined, the Knicks needed someone to step up, and Karl-Anthony Towns answered the call. The big man was an absolute force, putting on what might have been his best offensive performance of the season. He dominated the paint, finishing with a game-high 37 points and 12 rebounds. KAT was spinning, driving, and shooting with a confidence that just couldn’t be contained.
He even gave everyone a slight heart attack when he took a hard fall in the fourth, but like the dominant force he was all night, he shook it off and got back to work. Alongside Jalen Brunson’s cool 27 points, the Knicks’ star power was simply too much for the young Nets to handle.
Silver Linings In a Brooklyn Loss
Look, when you’re 3-14, you have to find the bright spots wherever you can. And for the Nets, that bright spot was shining on Noah Clowney. The 21-year-old had a career night, pouring in 31 points and draining seven three-pointers. He was aggressive, confident, and looked every bit like a core piece for this Brooklyn rebuild. Joining him in the “hey, at least we’ve got this” category was rookie Drake Powell, who exploded in the fourth quarter for 15 points.
In a rebuilding season, you’re looking for growth, and both Clowney and Powell showed they’re not just here for a cup of coffee. They fought, they scrapped, and they gave the home crowd something to cheer about, even as the Knicks were celebrating another win.
So, the Knicks keep their bragging rights, and the Nets go back to the drawing board. It was a game that perfectly encapsulated where both franchises are right now: one gearing up for a deep playoff run, and the other just hoping the kids are alright.
