The New York Knicks didn’t just beat the Brooklyn Nets on Monday night — they buried them under a third-quarter avalanche. At Barclays Center in Brooklyn, the Knicks pulled away 113-100, extending their winning streak against their crosstown rivals to a staggering 12 games in a row. It’s the longest active winning streak by one team over another in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, and it’s not even close. The last time the Knicks lost to the Nets? More than two years ago — January 28, 2023. Since then, they’ve won every single meeting. And this one? It was a statement.
The Third Quarter That Broke Brooklyn
The game was tied at 51 after Terance Mann’s three-point play to open the third quarter. You could feel the tension in the arena — 17,732 fans holding their breath, wondering if this was the night the Nets finally broke through. But then the Knicks turned on the jets. They scored 38 points in the third, shooting an absurd 63.6% from the field and draining six of ten three-pointers. New York Knicks didn’t just outscore Brooklyn — they outclassed them. By the time the fourth quarter began, the lead was 14 points. The Nets never recovered.Karl-Anthony Towns was the engine. 14 for 20 from the field. Perfect 6 for 6 from the line. 34 points. And he didn’t even play heavy minutes. He was efficient, relentless, and in complete control. Meanwhile, Mikal Bridges added 16, and Jordan Clarkson gave the Knicks a spark off the bench with 12. The defense? Lockdown. Brooklyn shot just 37.9% overall. The Nets’ star, Noah Clowney, dropped a career-high 31 points — but it wasn’t enough. Not with the Knicks swarming every drive, forcing 14 turnovers, and turning them into 21 points.
Home Court Curse for the Nets
The Brooklyn Nets are now 0-8 at Barclays Center this season. Zero wins. Not one. They’ve lost by an average of 11.6 points at home. The crowd is restless. The players look drained. Even Clowney’s 31-point explosion — his first 30-point game in 24 appearances — felt like a lone firework in a blackout. Michael Porter Jr. chipped in 16, but there was no rhythm, no cohesion. The Nets’ offense looked disjointed, especially in crunch time. And when you’re already struggling to find wins, that’s lethal.Their coach, Jacque Vaughn, has tried everything — lineup changes, defensive schemes, even benching starters. Nothing sticks. The Nets are 3-14 overall. Fourteenth in the Eastern Conference. They’re not just bad — they’re historically bad at home. The last time a team lost their first eight home games and finished the season with a winning record? 1972. That’s over 50 years ago. This isn’t a slump. It’s a collapse.
The Knicks’ Quiet Dominance
The Knicks? They’re quietly building something special. At 10-6, they sit fifth in the East. Their home record? A stellar 8-1 at Madison Square Garden. Their road record? Only 2-5. That’s the problem — they’re still inconsistent away from home. But against the Nets? They’re unbeatable. And it’s not just talent. It’s chemistry. It’s belief. They’ve seen the Nets’ weaknesses — the slow rotations, the lack of perimeter defense — and they’ve exploited them like a surgeon.And here’s the twist: they’ve done it without Landry Shamet, who’s out with a shoulder sprain. They’ve done it without needing their stars to carry 40 minutes. Towns played 31. Julius Randle was held to 10 points — and it didn’t matter. The bench outscored Brooklyn’s reserves 32-19. That’s depth. That’s balance. That’s what championship teams look like.
What Comes Next?
The Knicks head to Charlotte on Wednesday to face the Hornets. The Nets? They host the 76ers on Friday — a team that’s 11-4 and hungry to climb the East standings. If Brooklyn can’t find answers before then, their season might be over before Christmas.Meanwhile, the Knicks’ 12-game winning streak against the Nets is now the longest in the rivalry since the Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012. The last time they won a game in this series? The same night LeBron James announced his return to Cleveland. Time moves fast. But in this rivalry, the Knicks have held the upper hand for over two years — and they show no signs of letting go.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is the Knicks’ 12-game winning streak against the Nets?
It’s the longest active winning streak by one team over another in the NBA’s Eastern Conference as of November 24, 2025. No other rivalry in the conference has a team winning 12 straight games against its rival. The Knicks’ dominance stretches back to January 2023, and they’ve won every matchup since — including five games at Barclays Center.
Why has the Brooklyn Nets’ home record been so poor this season?
The Nets are 0-8 at Barclays Center, with an average margin of defeat of 11.6 points. Injuries, poor defensive rotations, and lack of offensive consistency have plagued them. Key players like Cam Thomas and Kevin Durant (out since October) have been missing, and younger players haven’t stepped up under pressure. Their offense ranks 27th in the league at home.
What role did Karl-Anthony Towns play in the Knicks’ victory?
Towns was unstoppable — 34 points on 14-of-20 shooting and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. He attacked the basket with authority, drew fouls, and hit mid-range jumpers with ease. His efficiency allowed the Knicks to rest other starters, and his presence in the paint forced Brooklyn to collapse, opening lanes for Bridges and Clarkson.
How does this win impact the Knicks’ playoff chances?
At 10-6, the Knicks are firmly in the top five of the Eastern Conference. Their win over the Nets reinforces their credibility as contenders, especially with their home-court advantage at Madison Square Garden. If they can improve their road record — currently 2-5 — they could crack the top three. This streak also boosts morale and gives them psychological leverage over playoff rivals.
What’s the history behind the Knicks-Nets rivalry?
The rivalry intensified after the Nets moved from New Jersey to Brooklyn in 2012, creating a true city showdown. For years, the Nets were dominant, especially with Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. But since 2023, the Knicks have flipped the script. With better coaching, improved depth, and a more cohesive identity, they’ve turned a once-lopsided rivalry into their personal playground.
Will the Nets’ home struggles affect their future roster decisions?
Absolutely. With zero home wins and fan frustration growing, the Nets’ front office may accelerate a rebuild. Trades for draft picks, coaching changes, or even a reset of the core — including potentially moving veteran players like Mikal Bridges — could be on the table. Ownership is watching closely, and a losing streak this long rarely goes unaddressed.