In the latest chapter of the New York Knicks’ ongoing rivalry with the Brooklyn Nets, Jalen Brunson made sure to shine when it mattered most.
Brunson had a big scoring run late in the game, helping the Knicks secure a 99-95 win at Barclays Center.
Struggling to score in the fourth quarter, Brunson was involved in all but two of the Knicks’ final twelve points that helped them close out the game.
Heading into the fourth, Brunson only had nine points, while Karl-Anthony Towns (who had 25 points and 16 rebounds) was leading the scoring.
The Knicks (29-16) tried to hold on to a nine-point lead after three quarters, but they only scored three points in the first nine minutes of the fourth. An OG Anunoby dunk was the only offense for the Knicks, and Brooklyn managed to cut down their lead.
With just three minutes left and the Knicks down by one, Brunson helped the team regain the lead.
He first assisted Towns and then scored the next six points for the Knicks. Another dunk by Anunoby pushed the lead to five, but D’Angelo Russell hit a three-pointer, bringing Brooklyn within two as the final minute began.
Brunson missed a floater on one end, but Cameron Johnson missed a potential game-winning shot on the other side. Brooklyn had to foul, and Brunson made the free throws to seal the win and send the Knicks back to Manhattan with a win.
Although the Nets (14-30) gave the Knicks a tough game, New York could take comfort in Towns’ strong performance, as he looked closer to his usual form after struggling in his return from a thumb injury.
While he missed all three of his three-point attempts, Towns contributed in other areas, with three steals, two blocks, and a plus-16 rating in 39 minutes.
Brunson’s late-game performance overshadowed Mikal Bridges’ return to Brooklyn, as this was the first game between the teams since the trade that sent several future draft picks to Brooklyn.
Bridges scored 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting but was a plus-8 in the box score, second-best on the team behind Towns.
With the win, the Knicks secured back-to-back wins for the first time in the new year and extended their winning streak over the Nets to nine straight games.
This streak, which began in February 2023, is now the longest in the history of the rivalry.
Russell, back in Brooklyn for his second stint, posted a double-double with 23 points and 10 assists in the loss.
The Nets have now lost their fourth straight game and 12 of their last 14, as they continue to wait for the NBA Draft Lottery.
Brooklyn’s bench saw two players score in double figures (Tyrese Martin and Day’Ron Sharpe), and Nic Claxton grabbed 12 rebounds. The Knicks and Nets will face off one last time this season on April 13.
