The New York Knicks extended their home perfection with a 134-98 rout of the Brooklyn Nets at Madison Square Garden on Sunday. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 28 points and 12 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby added 19 each.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown credited his team’s second-half adjustments for the blowout. “We addressed Michael Porter Jr. at halftime and he ended up with three points in the second half,” Brown said.
Defensively, New York limited the Nets to 36 second-half points while generating 12 deflections and three verticality calls. Brown highlighted the team’s awareness and physicality as key to the turnaround.
The Knicks also dominated on the boards, securing 15 offensive rebounds that led to 25 second-chance points. “We’re big believers in offensive rebounding, and our guys went out and got it done,” Brown explained.
Offensively, New York moved the ball efficiently, recording 38 assists on 48 baskets and 18 paint touches. Brown emphasized the importance of spacing and ball movement to maintain consistency.
Mitchell Robinson earned recognition as the team’s defensive standout with a +40 plus-minus in just 16.5 minutes. Brown praised his impact despite the limited minutes.
The victory extended New York’s winning streak against Brooklyn to 11 straight, tying the longest in the rivalry’s history. The Knicks improved to 6-3 overall and 6-0 at home.
Brown also addressed the ongoing process of rotation adjustments. “We’re still learning. We can still play better and need to be consistent,” he said. The coach stressed the importance of maintaining offensive balance and defensive recognition.
New York opened the game with an 8-0 run and finished the first quarter on an 11-0 spurt to establish a 40-22 lead. The Knicks continued to pull away in the third quarter, highlighted by a 12-0 run that involved all five starters.
Brooklyn struggled with turnovers, committing 19 and allowing New York to capitalize with fast-break points. Michael Porter Jr. scored 25 for the Nets, but the team could not recover from the early deficit.
The Knicks will return to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday to face the Memphis Grizzlies, while the Nets travel to Toronto. Brown reiterated that consistent execution on both ends will be crucial for the team’s long-term success this season.
