The New York Knicks ended their four-game slide in emphatic fashion on January 21, dismantling the Brooklyn Nets 120-66 at Madison Square Garden in the most lopsided win in franchise history. The 54-point margin not only eclipsed the Knicks’ previous record but also reinforced their growing dominance over their crosstown rivals, extending a streak of 13 consecutive victories against the Nets.
A Night That Rewrote the Record Books
From the opening minutes, the game tilted sharply in New York’s favour. The Knicks stormed out on a 14-0 run, setting a tone that never wavered. By the end of the first quarter, they led 38-20, capped by successive three-pointers from Landry Shamet that sent the Garden into a roar.
At halftime, the Knicks were comfortably ahead 60-38. Any hopes of a Brooklyn recovery vanished after the break, as New York outscored the Nets 60-28 in the second half. A crushing 16-0 run to open the fourth quarter ballooned the lead to 104-56, allowing the Knicks to empty their bench well before the final buzzer.
Efficiency and Balance Define the Knicks
The Knicks’ performance was notable not just for its margin, but for its balance. They shot 57.5 percent from the field, dominated the fast break 29-4, and held Brooklyn scoreless on second-chance opportunities, winning that category 12-0.
Jalen Brunson led the way with 20 points, guiding the offence with calm assurance after recent struggles. Shamet provided a sharp contrast, delivering 18 points on a perfect 6-of-6 from three-point range. The Knicks’ depth allowed them to impose constant pressure, stretching the lead to as many as 59 points.
Nets Left Searching for Answers
For Brooklyn, the defeat was stark. The Nets shot just 29 percent from the floor and managed only 10 made field goals in the paint. Michael Porter Jr. led the team with 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting, a line that reflected the broader offensive malaise.
Nets coach Jordi Fernandez offered a blunt assessment after the game: “Tonight was even worse and I’m the one responsible for it.” The loss dropped Brooklyn to 12-30 on the season, their eighth defeat in nine games, underscoring a campaign drifting toward the lottery.
Rivalry Context and Momentum Shift
The result also deepened a rivalry that has swung decisively in one direction since Brooklyn’s post-superstar rebuild. The Knicks have now beaten the Nets 13 straight times, a run that began in early 2023 and stands in sharp contrast to Brooklyn’s past dominance.
For New York, now 26-18, the night served as both release and reminder. Coming off boos at home after a heavy loss to Dallas two days earlier, the Knicks responded with a performance that reasserted their identity.
Eyes Forward After a Statement Win
Despite the scale of the victory, Brunson struck a measured tone. “This was a good step for us, but we’ve got to continue to press the issue of getting better every single day,” he said.
The Knicks will look to carry that resolve into their next outing against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 24. For one night at least, though, the message was clear: in a season of swings, the Knicks delivered a statement that echoed well beyond the final score.
Why It Resonates Beyond New York
While the game unfolded thousands of miles from Malta, its appeal travelled easily. NBA rivalries hold a strong following among local fans, and the spectacle of such a decisive win offered a familiar storyline — a slumping side finding redemption in a derby-like clash. Like classic European football matchups or heated PBA rivalries in the Philippines, this was sport stripped to its emotional core.
For those watching from afar, the Knicks’ rout of the Nets was more than a statistical curiosity. It was a reminder of how quickly momentum can turn — and how, in basketball, one night can change the narrative.
