Published On: Wed, Jan 21st, 2026

Knicks snap four-game losing streak with much-needed blowout victory over Nets

The Knicks defeated the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. 

Here are some takeaways…

– Sure playing the Nets helps, but the Knicks finally looked like the Knicks again tonight. New York came out much more energized following their players-only meeting and were able to cruise their way to their 13th-consecutive victory over their rebuilding crosstown rivals.

– New York got off to a very efficient start, knocking down six of their first nine shots, and they used a pair of runs (14-0, 14-3) to open a double-digit advantage, which they never looked back from. Jalen Brunson led the way with 11 first quarter points, but most encouraging, the Knicks held the Nets to just 20 points over the first 12 minutes. 

– The strong play continued into the second quarter, as New York's suffocating defense and hot shooting helped them stretch the lead out past 20 points just a few minutes in. OG Anunoby had a fastbreak slam after Brooklyn's fifth turnover of the game and Karl-Anthony Towns continued his strong start, stretching his total to 10 points. 

Both Towns and Mitchell Robinson did, however, put themselves in early foul trouble after picking up three apiece.

– The Knicks carried a 22-point advantage into the break, and they held the Nets to just 38 points, marking their best defensive half of the season. Brooklyn knocked down just five of their 20 three-point attempts through two quarters, and they didn't have a single player in double figures. 

New York outrebounded the Nets 28-16 and had 14 fastbreak points off of seven turnovers. 

– The Knicks remained in control coming out of the break, as all five of their starters found the bottom of the bucket, and they knocked down six of their first seven shots from the field to begin the half. Mikal Bridges pushed his way into double figures minutes into the third quarter after scoring just 10 points in total the last time out against Phoenix. 

– Landry Shamet continued his hot shooting since returning from his shoulder injury. The veteran sharpshooter knocked down all six of the three-pointers he attempted on the night, leaving him just two points shy of Brunson's game-high (20). The lead was pushed up to as much as 32 at the end of three. 

Both teams emptied their benches early in the fourth quarter and the rout stretched out to 54 points, the largest margin of victory in franchise history. 

– Brunson led all scorers with 20 points despite making just one of eight threes, Towns had 14 points and eight boards, Bridges had 11 points against his former team, and McBride chipped in 14 points off the bench. Tyler Kolek (6 points), Mohamed Diawara (5 points), Ariel Hukporti (four boards) took advantage of their garbage time minutes. 

– Michael Porter Jr. and Ziare Williams were the only two to crack double digits for Brooklyn. 

Game MVP: Landry Shamet

Shamet continues to dominate from downtown since returning from injury. 

Highlights

What's next

The Knicks will look to build off this strong performance as they head to Philadelphia for a meeting with the 76ers on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. 


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