NEW YORK — In a closely contested matchup, the New York Knicks emerged victorious against the Brooklyn Nets with a final score of 99-95. Key contributions came from Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded 25 points and grabbed 16 rebounds. Jalen Brunson also made a significant impact in the closing moments, scoring eight of his total 17 points late in the game. This win marked the Knicks’ second consecutive victory in their campaign.
OG Anunoby provided support with a solid performance, contributing 20 points, while Precious Achiuwa added 11 points off the bench. On the other hand, D’Angelo Russell led the Nets with 23 points and 10 assists, while Cam Johnson chipped in with 16 points. Unfortunately for Brooklyn, this defeat extended their losing streak to four games and left them with just one win in their last ten matches.
The game saw a significant shift in momentum during the third quarter, when New York initially held a double-digit lead. The Nets rallied back and even took a one-point lead at 88-87, thanks to a three-pointer from Keon Johnson with just over five minutes remaining in the game. However, the Knicks responded by regaining the lead 91-90 with 2:18 on the clock, courtesy of a jumper from Brunson. He then continued to contribute, hitting three consecutive shots, including a crucial step-back jumper that pushed New York ahead 95-92 with 1:25 left.
As the game wound down, Russell connected on a three-pointer to narrow the gap to 97-95 with just under a minute to play. Following a missed three-point attempt by Johnson, Brunson solidified the Knicks’ win by sinking two free throws.
Among the noteworthy points from the game is the fact that Mikal Bridges, who had been part of a trade to the Knicks in July 2024, scored 10 points in his first game back in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez shared that leading scorer Cam Thomas is still in recovery from a left hamstring injury, engaging in “on-court activities, no contact,” but has yet to play since January 2.
As for pivotal moments, Johnson had a crucial opportunity to shift the game’s outcome with 15.1 seconds remaining but missed a key three-pointer from the top of the key. Subsequently, Brunson was fouled and calmly sank his free throws to finalize the score.
One notable statistic from the game reveals that the Knicks have yet to lose when they manage to hold opponents to under 100 points, maintaining an impressive 8-0 record in such scenarios this season.
Looking ahead, the Nets are set to host the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, while the Knicks will welcome the Sacramento Kings on Saturday evening.
