You’d think a team winning twelve games in a row against their neighbor would kill a rivalry. Dead. Buried. Done. But that’s just not how things work in New York. Even with the New York Knicks absolutely dominating the Brooklyn Nets lately, the energy whenever these two hit the court together is, frankly, kind of ridiculous.
It’s not just about the basketball. It never really was. It’s about who actually owns the city's soul. On one side, you have the "Old Guard" at Madison Square Garden, where the history is caked into the rafters. On the other, the "Cooler" Brooklyn vibe at Barclays Center. But if you’ve watched a single game in 2025 or the start of 2026, you know the "Battle of the Boroughs" has become a one-sided beatdown that nobody saw coming a few years ago.
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The 12-Game Gap: What’s Going On?
The current streak is staggering. Since January 2023, the Nets haven't tasted victory against the Knicks. Think about that. We’ve seen entire roster overhauls, coaching changes, and even a "Nova Knicks" revolution in that time. Most recently, on November 24, 2025, the Knicks walked into Brooklyn and left with a 113-100 win.
Karl-Anthony Towns was the monster under the bed that night. He dropped 37 points and grabbed 12 boards, looking every bit like the piece the Knicks needed to move from "scrappy playoff team" to "legit contender." He shot 14-for-20. Efficiency like that in a rivalry game is basically unheard of.
Brooklyn, meanwhile, is stuck in a weird spot. They’re rebuilding, sure, but losing to the Knicks at home—where it often sounds like a Knicks home game anyway—is a tough pill to swallow. Noah Clowney put up a career-high 31 points in that November loss, which is a bright spot, but a bright spot in a dark room is still just a small light.
The Mikal Bridges Factor
You can't talk about New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets without talking about the trade that shook the city. When Mikal Bridges crossed the East River to join his Villanova buddies in Manhattan, it felt like a shift in the balance of power.
It wasn't just a talent move; it was a psychological one.
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Bridges was the face of the Nets' "post-KD/Kyrie" era. Now, he’s part of a Knicks rotation that feels deeper than a Brooklyn pothole. In the latest matchups, Bridges hasn't even had to be the hero. He just plays his role—tough defense, spacing the floor—and lets guys like Jalen Brunson and KAT do the heavy lifting.
Why the All-Time Record Is Deceiving
If you look at the history books, it’s actually incredibly close.
- Total Meetings: 230
- Knicks Wins: 118
- Nets Wins: 112
For decades, this was a back-and-forth dogfight. The Nets actually dominated for a long stretch during the Jason Kidd years and then again during the "Clean Sweep" era with Kevin Durant. But the recent 12-0 run by the Knicks has finally tipped the scales of the regular-season series to 113-107 in favor of the blue and orange.
The Math Behind the Matchup
Actually, the stats tell a story that the highlights miss. In the 2025-26 season, the Knicks have been winning the "math game."
- Second Chance Points: The Knicks are averaging significantly more offensive rebounds in these head-to-heads. When you give Brunson and Towns second chances, you’re basically asking for a loss.
- Free Throw Disparity: The Knicks play a physical, "Thibs-style" game (even under the current coaching shifts) that gets them to the line. In their November 9th blowout (134-98), the Nets just couldn't keep the Knicks out of the paint without fouling.
- Three-Point Variance: Brooklyn relies heavily on volume shooting. When Michael Porter Jr. (who has been a scoring leader for the Nets this season) is on, they stay close. When he's not, the Knicks' defense suffocates them.
The Fan Experience: MSG vs. Barclays
Going to a New York Knicks vs Brooklyn Nets game is a lesson in sociology. If the game is at Madison Square Garden, the ticket prices are usually eye-watering—think $200 just to get in the building for the January 21, 2026, matchup. The crowd is loud, demanding, and intensely loyal.
Barclays is different. It’s sleeker. The lighting is like a theater. But because the Knicks fan base is so massive, "home" games for the Nets often feel like neutral site games. It’s a point of pride for Knicks fans to "take over" the Brooklyn arena, and honestly, they’ve been doing it a lot lately.
What to Watch for in the Next Matchup
The two teams meet again on January 21, 2026, at the Garden. Here is the reality: the Knicks are currently fighting for the top spot in the Atlantic Division (sitting at 25-15 as of mid-January), while the Nets (11-27) are looking at the draft lottery.
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But rivalries are weird. The Nets are due. They’ve got Nic Claxton anchoring the middle and Cam Thomas who can go for 40 on any given night if his hamstring holds up. If the Knicks get caught looking ahead to a matchup with the Celtics or the Pistons, the Nets could finally break the curse.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this rivalry or planning to attend a game, keep these logistics in mind:
- Ticket Strategy: If you want to save money, aim for the March 20, 2026, game at Barclays Center. Tickets are historically 20-30% cheaper than the same matchup at MSG.
- Betting Trends: The "Under" has been a frequent winner in recent meetings because of the Knicks' defensive pressure and the Nets' occasional offensive droughts. Always check the injury report for Jalen Brunson (who recently had a minor ankle scare) before looking at the spread.
- Arrival Time: For games at the Garden, give yourself at least 45 minutes to get through security. The 7th Avenue entrance is usually a mess right before tip-off.
- Streaming: If you aren't in the NYC market, you'll likely need NBA League Pass, but keep an eye on national broadcasts as this matchup often gets picked up for the "New York" marketability alone.
The 12-game streak might suggest the rivalry is leaning one way, but in a city this small, the narrative can flip in a single night. Whether you're a die-hard Knick or a Brooklyn loyalist, these games remain the most volatile tickets in town.