The New York Knicks didn’t just beat the Brooklyn Nets — they erased them. On Sunday, November 9, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the Knicks delivered a statement performance, routing the Nets 134-98 in front of a roaring, sold-out crowd. The final margin of 36 points wasn’t just a win — it was a reckoning. And at the center of it all was Karl-Anthony Towns, who dropped 28 points and 12 rebounds, turning every possession into a reminder of why he’s one of the league’s most unstoppable big men.
A First Quarter for the Ages
The game didn’t start with a bang — it started with a hurricane. The Knicks opened with a 40-point first quarter, the highest-scoring opening frame of the 2025-2026 NBA season so far. Jalen Brunson sliced through the Nets’ defense like a scalpel, while Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby turned defensive stops into fast-break thunder. The Nets? They looked lost. Their 22 points came from 12-for-34 shooting, with no player scoring more than 5 in the opening 12 minutes. It was as if Brooklyn had forgotten how to play offense.
The Turning Point: Two 16-4 Runs
Here’s the thing: the Nets weren’t completely dead after the first quarter. They clawed back in the second, outscoring the Knicks 40-37, and briefly looked like they might turn this into a game. But then came the first 16-4 run — 4 minutes and 2 seconds of pure Knicks domination, starting at the 10:54 mark of the second quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns hit a turnaround jumper, then a three. Jordan Clarkson stole the ball, raced downcourt, and finished with a finger roll. By the end of the run, the score was 58-32. The Garden was deafening.
The second 16-4 run, at the 6:37 mark of the third quarter, was even more brutal. The Knicks led 77-66. Then came a flurry: three straight threes from Landry Shamet, a block by Mitchell Robinson, and a steal-and-layup by Miles McBride. When the dust settled, the score was 93-66. The Nets were out of answers. Out of energy. Out of hope.
Towns’ Masterclass and the Nets’ Struggles
Karl-Anthony Towns didn’t just play well — he played like a man possessed. He hit mid-range jumpers, rolled to the rim with ease, and even knocked down two three-pointers from the corner. His 12 rebounds included five offensive boards — each one a dagger to Brooklyn’s morale. He played 32 minutes, never once looking winded.
For the Nets, Nic Claxton (12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) was the lone bright spot, but even he couldn’t carry the load. The rest of the roster? A mess. Michael Porter Jr. went 1-for-8. Day’Ron Sharpe was a non-factor. Egor Demin, the young rookie, looked overwhelmed. The Nets’ bench scored just 14 points. They were outrebounded 52-38. Their assist-to-turnover ratio was 18-16. It was, as Fox Sports called it, a “blowout.”
Betting, Rivalry, and the Bigger Picture
The Knicks didn’t just win — they covered the 16-point spread, a massive win for bettors who backed them. The final margin of 36 points was the largest in the rivalry since the Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012. This wasn’t just another regular-season game. It was the Knicks saying, “We’re not just contenders — we’re the team to beat in New York.”
The rivalry, once a curiosity, is now a full-blown war. The Knicks have won six of the last seven meetings. This game? It felt personal. The fans at MSG chanted “M-V-P!” for Towns. The Nets’ players walked off the court with heads down, ignoring the crowd. No post-game quotes were officially released, but the silence spoke volumes.
What’s Next?
The Knicks (4-0) head into a rare back-to-back against the Pacers on Tuesday, while the Nets (0-4) face the Raptors in Toronto — a must-win just to avoid a 0-5 start. Their next meeting? November 25, 2025, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. If the Nets don’t fix their defense, their offense, and their confidence, that game might be even uglier.
Behind the Numbers
- Knicks’ scoring by quarter: 40-37-35-22 (134 total)
- Nets’ scoring by quarter: 22-40-17-19 (98 total)
- Knicks’ field goal percentage: 54.7%
- Nets’ three-point shooting: 24.1% (7-for-29)
- Knicks’ bench points: 48
- Knicks’ turnovers: 10
- Nets’ turnovers: 18
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win impact the Knicks’ playoff chances?
This win solidifies the Knicks as Eastern Conference favorites. At 4-0, they’re off to their best start since the 2012-2013 season. With Towns, Brunson, and Anunoby playing at an elite level, and their defense tightening up, they’re on pace to finish in the top 3 in the East. A 50+ win season is now realistic.
Why is this game considered a turning point in the Knicks-Nets rivalry?
Since the Nets moved to Brooklyn in 2012, this is the largest margin of victory for the Knicks in their home arena. The rivalry had been competitive, even close at times — but this game showed a power shift. The Knicks aren’t just beating the Nets; they’re humiliating them. That changes the psychological dynamic for future matchups.
What went wrong for the Brooklyn Nets?
The Nets’ offense collapsed without Kyrie Irving (injured) and Kevin Durant (resting). Their bench was lifeless, their defense disorganized, and they lacked a go-to scorer. Nic Claxton tried, but he couldn’t carry the load alone. They shot just 24% from three and turned the ball over 18 times — a recipe for disaster against a team as disciplined as the Knicks.
Did Karl-Anthony Towns’ performance surprise analysts?
Not really. Towns has been a top-5 center all season, but this was his most complete game yet — scoring, rebounding, spacing the floor. Analysts like Zach Lowe noted he’s finally playing with the aggression of a true franchise player. The Knicks’ system, with its ball movement and spacing, unlocks his full potential.
How does this affect the Knicks’ upcoming schedule?
The Knicks now have momentum — and confidence. Their next two games are against the Pacers and Raptors, both playoff-caliber teams. If they win those, they’ll be 6-0, putting them in rare company. Their schedule softens after that, and if they keep playing like this, they could be 15-3 by mid-December.
Is there a chance the Nets can recover from this loss?
They can — but only if they make drastic changes. Their coaching staff needs to restructure the offense, give more minutes to young players like Egor Demin, and find a new identity. A 0-5 start would be devastating. But with Joseph Tsai’s deep pockets and a solid core, they still have time. The November 25 rematch will be their first real test.
