The New York Knicks didn’t just beat the Brooklyn Nets—they sent a message. On Monday, November 24, 2025, at Barclays Center, the Knicks crushed their intracity rivals 113-100, extending their winning streak against Brooklyn to 12 straight games. The last time the Nets won? January 28, 2023. That’s over two full seasons ago. And this time, they did it without Landry Shamet, their reliable guard, sidelined by a right shoulder sprain suffered just days earlier in Orlando. The message? New York doesn’t need perfect conditions to dominate.
When Towns Takes Over, the Game Becomes a Masterclass
Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t just play well—he played like a man possessed. The Karl-Anthony Towns who once drew comparisons to big men of the past now looks like the present’s most unstoppable force. He dropped 37 points on 14-of-20 shooting, pulled down 12 rebounds, and nailed all six of his free throws. Three threes. Three assists. Three blocks. It was the kind of performance that makes opposing coaches rethink their defensive schemes overnight. And yet, he wasn’t even the most efficient player on the floor.
Jalen Brunson, the Jalen Brunson who quietly became the Knicks’ heartbeat, added 27 points of his own, hitting four three-pointers and keeping the offense flowing even when Brooklyn tried to trap him. He didn’t need to be flashy. He just needed to be cold-blooded—and he was. "It wasn’t a pretty first half," Towns admitted afterward. "It was a drafty first half," he chuckled, referencing the sloppy start. "But Brunson got hot when it mattered most. And that’s what champions do."
The Third Quarter That Broke Brooklyn
The game was tied at 51 after Terance Mann’s three-point play early in the third quarter. You could feel the Nets’ momentum. Maybe, just maybe, they’d finally end the streak. Then the Knicks turned it into a clinic. Over the next 12 minutes, they outscored Brooklyn 38-27, shooting a blistering 63.6% from the field and draining six of ten threes. The Nets, who’d been relying on perimeter shooting all night, suddenly looked lost. Their shots clanged off the rim. Their passes were intercepted. Their defense collapsed under the weight of New York’s relentless ball movement.
"The Nets for some reason decided to make it a perimeter game," said a CBS Sports commentator during the broadcast. "Which they’re not good at." The irony was thick. Brooklyn’s best weapon—three-point shooting—was neutralized by New York’s disciplined rotations. The Knicks held them to 33-of-87 shooting (37.9%) overall. Meanwhile, New York shot 51.1%. That’s not luck. That’s execution.
Noah Clowney’s Heroics Couldn’t Save the Night
For the Nets, there was one bright spot: Noah Clowney. The 24-year-old forward, once a fringe rotation player, had a career night—31 points, seven three-pointers, a breakout performance that will live on in highlight reels. But in a game where the Knicks had two All-NBA-caliber players (Towns and Brunson) and Brooklyn had none, even a career-best isn’t enough. Michael Porter Jr. added 16, Mikal Bridges chipped in 16 for New York, and Jordan Clarkson gave the Knicks 12 crucial points off the bench. The depth difference? Night and day.
The Rivalry That Won’t Die
This isn’t just another win. It’s the latest chapter in the Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks rivalry—one of the most electric, emotional, and enduring in the NBA. Two teams, one city, two fanbases that still argue over who owns the boroughs. The Knicks have now won 12 straight in this matchup. The Nets? They’re 0-8 at home this season. Barclays Center, with its 17,732 seats, has become a house of horrors for Brooklyn. Fans booed. Players looked shell-shocked. And the scoreboard? A cruel reminder of how far they’ve fallen.
What’s Next? Knicks Aim for Road Dominance
Up next for the Knicks: a road trip to face the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. They’re seeking their third road win of the season—a small but telling milestone as they push toward playoff positioning. Meanwhile, the Nets host the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, November 28, 2025, desperate for their first home win of the season. The question isn’t whether they can win—it’s whether they can stop the bleeding. Because right now, Brooklyn’s season feels like a slow-motion collapse.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
This isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about identity. The Knicks, once the league’s laughingstock, are now a model of defensive discipline and offensive efficiency. Towns is playing like a top-five center. Brunson is a franchise cornerstone. Even without Shamet, they’ve got depth, cohesion, and swagger. The Nets? They’ve got talent, sure—but no leadership, no identity, no answers. And when you’re losing to your biggest rival by 13 points, even your best player’s career night feels like a footnote.
One thing’s clear: the balance of power in New York basketball has shifted. And it’s not coming back.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has the Knicks’ winning streak against the Nets lasted?
The New York Knicks have now won 12 consecutive games against the Brooklyn Nets, with their last loss occurring on January 28, 2023 (122-115). This streak spans two full NBA seasons and includes games played at both Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center, making it one of the longest active winning streaks by one team over another in NBA history.
What impact does Landry Shamet’s injury have on the Knicks’ rotation?
Shamet’s right shoulder sprain, suffered on November 20, 2025, removes a key three-point shooter and veteran presence from the bench. While his absence was felt in spacing, the Knicks’ depth—led by Jordan Clarkson and Quentin Grimes—absorbed the loss. His return timeline is uncertain, but with New York’s offensive balance, they’ve shown they can win even without him.
Why has Brooklyn struggled so badly at home this season?
The Nets are 0-8 at Barclays Center this season, largely due to poor defensive rotations, inconsistent scoring, and a lack of leadership. Their reliance on perimeter shooting—while effective in theory—has backfired against disciplined defenses like New York’s. They’re also missing key contributors like Cam Johnson and Mikal Bridges (who’s now with the Knicks) to injury and trades, leaving them thin and unfocused.
How does this win affect the Knicks’ playoff chances?
With a 10-6 record after this win, the Knicks are firmly in the Eastern Conference’s top six. Their defensive rating (107.3) ranks seventh in the league, and their offense, led by Towns and Brunson, is among the most efficient. If they maintain this pace, they’re likely to secure home-court advantage in the first round—a huge advantage in a tough conference.
Is this the end of the Nets’ rebuild?
It’s not over, but it’s in serious trouble. With a 3-14 record and no clear leader, Brooklyn’s front office faces tough questions. Their core—Clowney, Porter Jr., and Mann—is young but lacks star power. Without a major trade or draft pick upgrade, this team risks becoming a perennial lottery fixture. The Knicks’ dominance is a mirror: Brooklyn’s rebuild is stuck in neutral.
What makes the Knicks-Nets rivalry so intense?
It’s geography, history, and pride. The Knicks represent Manhattan’s tradition; the Nets symbolize Brooklyn’s grit. Games are sold out, tempers flare, and fans take sides like it’s a neighborhood feud. The NBA, headquartered at 645 Fifth Avenue, treats this as one of its marquee rivalries—and with 12 straight wins, New York is currently winning the battle on every level.
