In a spirited New York rivalry clash, the Knicks emerged victorious against the Brooklyn Nets with a score of 105-93 during Saturday’s NBA action, showcasing stellar performances from their squad.
Donte DiVincenzo led the charge with a high-scoring 31 points, closely followed by Miles McBride, who added 26 points to the Knicks’ tally. This victory marks the Knicks’ fifth win in their last six outings, highlighting their recent form in the league.
Jalen Brunson and Isaiah Hartenstein scored 17 points each, contributing significantly to the win. Brunson’s game was further complemented by eight assists, while Hartenstein, overcoming an Achilles injury, grabbed nine rebounds and played a crucial role in the Knicks’ gameplay.
“We’re playing more unselfish basketball right now, and that’s fun for me,” Hartenstein said. “It lets me do what I was brought there to do.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Despite a strong start, the Brooklyn Nets faced their sixth straight loss, with Cam Thomas leading the Nets with 19 points and Mikal Bridges adding 18. The game intensified in the fourth quarter when Dennis Smith Jr. leveled Brooklyn’s score at 80 with a three-pointer. However, the Knicks quickly took control, with DiVincenzo sparking a 12-0 run.
“I’m just trying to make the right play. Be aggressive,” DiVincenzo said. “They were giving me space at the rim and I was taking advantage of it.”
The Knicks further solidified their lead with an 8-0 run, leaving the Nets trailing behind. Hartenstein’s dunk and three-point play were pivotal moments that contributed to the Knicks opening a 102-84 lead.
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets Updates
This victory over the Nets improved the Knicks’ season record to 3-0 against their city rivals, with the teams set to meet once again on April 12 at Madison Square Garden. Kevin Ollie, the interim coach for the Nets, expressed his disappointment, emphasizing the need for more effort.
“They went for every offensive rebound, they got every loose ball,” interim Nets coach Kevin Ollie said. “They just wanted it more. You could see it. That is where we are at because at those times, you gotta go get it. You gotta go headfirst. We have to do those things to win. I know I sound like a broken record, but that is what we have to do.”
NBA NEWS & SCORES: Donte DiVincenzo, Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks, Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets Updates
The Knicks’ resilience and teamwork were on full display, as highlighted by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Bridges that gave Brooklyn a halftime lead. Nonetheless, the Knicks’ determination saw them through, with Josh Hart also putting up a notable performance with 13 rebounds and five assists.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau reflected on the victory, saying, “I knew this game would be a challenge coming off the road the way we did. We just needed to find a way to win, and we did.”
Looking ahead, the Nets are set to face Toronto on Monday, while the Knicks will host Detroit, continuing their pursuit in the NBA season.
