The New York Knicks have taken the reins in the city’s NBA rivalry, clinching their first victory at Barclays Center in four years with a 121-102 triumph over the Brooklyn Nets during Wednesday night’s NBA action.
Julius Randle led the charge with 26 points, while Donte DiVincenzo contributed significantly with 23 points. This victory marked a shift in the dynamic between the two teams, as the Knicks had previously lost nine consecutive games to the Nets when Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving were on the roster. However, since the departure of these two stars, the Knicks have won all three matchups, snapping a six-game losing streak in Brooklyn that had persisted since December 2019.
Randle acknowledged this turnaround with a hint of satisfaction, indicating a return to normalcy for the Knicks.
“Everything’s back to normal I guess,” Randle said.
Both teams were coming off West Coast trips, but the Knicks displayed more vigor, leading for almost the entire game. Five 3-pointers and eight rebounds highlighted DiVincenzo’s performance. Josh Hart also impacted off the bench with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
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Nets coach Jacque Vaughn recognized the equal conditions for both teams and conceded that the Knicks were simply superior in all aspects of the game.
“We both were on the West Coast. Nobody can use that as an excuse,” Vaughn said. “They came back home, we came back home, played a game, same amount of rest, and they were better than us tonight in all facets of the game.”
The Knicks, still technically on their road trip, were coming off a win against the Lakers in Los Angeles. Coach Tom Thibodeau refused to let the schedule be an excuse for his team’s performance.
“When they tell us the ball’s going up at this time, we’re ready,” Thibodeau said.
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Cam Thomas and Cam Johnson each scored 20 points for the Nets, who faced their fourth consecutive loss. Mikal Bridges struggled with his shooting, mirroring a poor performance from their previous game against Utah.
The Knicks established a commanding lead early, leading by double digits in the first quarter and holding a 60-51 advantage at halftime. They continued their dominance in the second half, with DiVincenzo playing a key role in extending the lead. Despite a brief rally by the Nets in the third quarter, the Knicks regained control and decisively sealed the game in the fourth.
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The Knicks had to adapt to changes in their lineup, with Isaiah Hartenstein stepping up as the starting center due to injuries to Jericho Sims and Mitchell Robinson. The Nets, still without Ben Simmons due to a lower back issue, anticipate his return in January. They also expect the return of Dennis Smith Jr. and Lonnie Walker IV from injuries next week.
Looking ahead, the Knicks will host the Milwaukee Bucks in a two-game series starting Saturday, while the Nets will welcome the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.
