Knicks Grind Out Gritty Win Over Nets Behind Towns and Brunson

The New York Knicks earned a hard-fought 99-95 victory over the Brooklyn Nets in a game defined by late-game heroics, physical play, and clutch performances. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson anchored the effort, combining for critical plays that helped secure the win at Barclays Center.

Towns dominated the game with a stellar performance, putting up 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists. His presence on both ends of the floor set the tone for the Knicks, while Brunson provided the finishing touches, scoring 8 of his 17 points in the final two minutes.

“These are games that are good tests for us to see how truly close this team is. I’m proud of us,” Towns said after the game.


Clutch Play Seals the Win

The Knicks, who led by as many as 13 points late in the third quarter, found themselves trailing 90-89 with just over two minutes left after a late Nets rally. That’s when Brunson took over.

He drained a pull-up jumper, followed by a tough layup, to put the Knicks up 93-90. When Keon Johnson cut the lead to one with free throws, Brunson responded with a silky step-back jumper to maintain control. OG Anunoby added a critical dunk to extend the lead to 97-92, providing breathing room for New York.

Despite a deep three-pointer from D’Angelo Russell—who finished with 23 points and 10 assists—Brunson calmly sank two free throws with seven seconds remaining to seal the victory.


Knicks’ Strong Start and Nets’ Resilience

The Knicks appeared in control for much of the game, building an 85-75 lead early in the fourth quarter behind their dominance in the paint and defensive intensity. Precious Achiuwa’s driving layup late in the third quarter gave the Knicks their largest lead of 13 points.

However, the Nets fought back with a 13-2 run in the final quarter, fueled by Russell, Cameron Johnson, and Tyrese Martin. Brooklyn briefly took the lead, but the Knicks’ poise in the closing moments proved to be the difference.


Anunoby and Achiuwa Step Up

OG Anunoby was a steady presence throughout the game, scoring 20 points and contributing key baskets down the stretch. Precious Achiuwa provided an important spark off the bench, scoring 11 points in 18 minutes in one of his best performances of the season.

Coach Tom Thibodeau stuck to a tight nine-man rotation, leaning heavily on his starters. Towns, Brunson, and Josh Hart each logged 39 minutes, while Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet saw limited action.


Struggles for Brooklyn

The Nets received strong contributions from Russell and Johnson, who scored 16 points, but they struggled to finish in the paint, where they were outscored 56-38. Mikal Bridges, in his first game against his former team, had an off night, scoring just 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.


What’s Next for the Knicks?

The win marks the Knicks’ second consecutive victory and keeps them within striking distance of the Boston Celtics for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. With Mitchell Robinson still sidelined and trade rumors swirling around their rotation, the Knicks must continue to grind out wins against tough opponents.

The team faces a challenging stretch ahead, but with Towns and Brunson leading the charge and role players like Anunoby stepping up, New York is showing it has the resilience and depth to compete in a crowded Eastern Conference.