The Brooklyn Nets host their cross-town rivals, the New York Knicks, in the first of two 2025–26 season meetings at Barclays Center. This is the annual “Battle of New York” game, always carrying extra intensity due to the borough rivalry, fan bases, and media attention. The Knicks enter as a top-4 Eastern Conference team with strong two-way play, while the rebuilding Nets continue to struggle defensively and are still searching for consistency.
Game Details
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT)
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
TV Broadcast: YES Network (Nets), MSG Network (Knicks), NBA League Pass (national/international)
Streaming: NBA League Pass, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV
Injury Report
Brooklyn Nets
Ben Simmons (PG/PF) – Out (back surgery recovery, season-long)
Cam Thomas (SG) – Out (right hamstring strain, est. return early February)
Dennis Schröder (PG) – Questionable (left ankle sprain, limited practice)
Lonnie Walker IV (SG) – Probable (rest)
Day’Ron Sharpe (C) – Questionable (left knee soreness)
New York Knicks
OG Anunoby (SF) – Questionable (right thumb sprain)
Mitchell Robinson (C) – Out (ankle, est. return late February)
Isaiah Hartenstein (C) – Probable (rest/maintenance)
Jalen Brunson (PG) – Probable (right foot soreness)
Josh Hart (SG/SF) – Probable (rest)
Key Player Matchups
Jalen Brunson (NYK) vs. Dennis Schröder / Dennis Smith Jr. (BKN)
Brunson’s elite shot creation and mid-range game vs. Brooklyn’s depleted backcourt. Expect heavy usage and pick-and-roll dominance.
Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK) vs. Nic Claxton (BKN)
KAT’s floor-spacing and scoring vs. Claxton’s rim protection and rebounding. Bigs battle will dictate paint control.
Mikal Bridges (BKN) vs. OG Anunoby / Josh Hart (NYK)
Two-way wing duel: Bridges’ scoring and defense vs. Knicks’ length and physicality.
Cam Johnson / Bojan Bogdanović (BKN) vs. Knicks wings
Brooklyn’s shooting must counter New York’s top-8 perimeter defense.
Knicks rank top-6 in net rating and defensive efficiency
Nets rank bottom-5 in defensive rating and bottom-10 in net rating
Recent Team Forms (Last 5 Games)
Brooklyn Nets (1-4)
Jan 19: L 98-114 @ Miami
Jan 17: L 105-119 vs. Orlando
Jan 15: L 110-122 @ Philadelphia
Jan 13: W 112-108 vs. Washington
Jan 11: L 99-115 @ Boston
Averaging 104.8 PPG scored, 115.6 allowed in last five.
New York Knicks (3-2)
Jan 19: W 118-107 vs. Detroit
Jan 17: W 124-113 @ Miami
Jan 15: L 102-110 vs. Cleveland
Jan 13: W 116-108 @ Atlanta
Jan 11: L 108-114 @ Milwaukee
Averaging 113.6 PPG scored, 110.4 allowed in last five.
Series History
Knicks lead all-time series 118–112.
Recent meetings (last 5): Knicks 4-1.
Nov 8, 2025: Knicks 118-104 @ Brooklyn
Dec 14, 2025: Knicks 122-109 vs. Brooklyn
Average margin in Knicks wins: +11.5 points
Over has hit in 4 of last 5 meetings; games average 229 total points.
Betting Trends
Knicks 14-6 ATS as road favorites of 7+ points this season. Nets 5-15 ATS as home underdogs of 7+ points.
Overs hit in 6 of Knicks’ last 8 road games. Nets allow 118+ PPG at home in losses. Knicks cover 60% when favored by 7+ on the road
Game Odds
Brooklyn Nets 224.5
New York Knicks – 11.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, January 20, 2026
