Knicks Seek 14th Straight Win Over Struggling Nets

New York looks to continue dominance in Brooklyn as teams head in opposite directions

Mar. 20, 2026 at 7:30pm

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The New York Knicks will look to extend their winning streak against the Brooklyn Nets to 14 games when the two teams meet on Friday night. The Knicks have dominated the series in recent years, winning the last 13 matchups, including a pair of blowout victories earlier this season. Meanwhile, the Nets are mired in a five-game losing streak and have lost 15 of their last 17 games as they continue to struggle without injured leading scorer Michael Porter Jr.

Why it matters

This game has significant Eastern Conference playoff implications, as the Knicks are currently 1.5 games behind the second-place Boston Celtics and 2.5 games ahead of the fourth-place Cleveland Cavaliers. A win over their crosstown rivals would help the Knicks continue their push for a top-two seed in the East. For the Nets, this game represents an opportunity to end their recent skid and build some momentum, though they will have their hands full against the surging Knicks.

The details

The Knicks have dominated the Nets in recent years, winning the last 13 meetings between the two teams. Eight of those wins have been by double digits, and the Knicks have shot over 50% from the field in six of those victories, including the past three. In their two previous matchups this season, the Knicks won by scores of 120-66 and 134-98. The Knicks are coming off a pair of wins over the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers, while the Nets have lost five straight and 15 of their last 17 games with Michael Porter Jr. sidelined by a hamstring injury.

  • The Knicks and Nets last met on January 21, 2026, with the Knicks winning 120-66.
  • The Knicks' current 13-game winning streak over the Nets dates back to a 7-point loss on January 28, 2023.

The players

Jalen Brunson

The Knicks' starting point guard, who was held out of the team's last game for injury management purposes but is expected to play against the Nets.

Michael Porter Jr.

The Nets' leading scorer, who has been sidelined for the last four games with a left hamstring strain and is expected to be out for 2-3 more weeks, potentially ending his season.

Josh Hart

The Knicks' swingman, who scored a team-high 33 points on 12-of-13 shooting in the team's win over the Pacers on Tuesday.

Karl-Anthony Towns

The Knicks' star center, who recorded a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds in the win over the Pacers.

Jordi Fernandez

The Nets' head coach, who expressed embarrassment over the team's poor first-half performance in their recent loss to the Thunder.

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What they’re saying

“It was special. It's a game, obviously, we're missing JB. We all understood the importance of picking up the slack, and I thought all of us in this locker room, particularly Josh, did a great job of playing team basketball. It was great for all of us. Obviously, one person's not going to replace Jalen, but we all can collectively come together and try to play better basketball for each other with his absence.”

— Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks Center

“You feel embarrassed when you score 24 points in a half of basketball. And I do believe, no doubt in my mind, that our guys are better than this. But it's not about what you believe.”

— Jordi Fernandez, Nets Head Coach

What’s next

The Knicks will look to continue their push for a top-two seed in the Eastern Conference, while the Nets will try to end their recent skid and build some momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.

The takeaway

The Knicks have firmly established their dominance over the Nets in recent years, and this game represents an opportunity for them to further cement their status as one of the top teams in the East. Meanwhile, the Nets' struggles without their leading scorer have them in a precarious position, and they'll need to find a way to turn things around quickly if they hope to secure a playoff spot.