In a tightly-contested Tuesday matchup, the New York Knicks took down its crosstown rival Nets, 99-95. New York has been fueled by its core four of Jalen Brunso

Other than Karl-Anthony Towns around the paint and Josh Hart’s big rebound, there wasn’t much impressive about the way the Knicks performed Tuesday. They were sluggish, the offense inexplicably disappeared for most of the fourth quarter and they were one Brooklyn shot away from their worst loss of the season.

Mikal Bridges didn’t get a tribute video in his return to Barclays Center on Tuesday, but he did get a “Welcome back” graphic.

This version of Mikal Bridges looks nothing like the one Brooklyn traded away, but his revamped role could be the key to New York ascending in the East.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 16 rebounds, Jalen Brunson scored eight points down the stretch and finished with 17 as the New York Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-95 on Tuesday night. OG Anunoby scored 20 points and Precious Achiuwa had 11 points off the bench as the Knicks won their second straight game.

This past offseason, the Brooklyn Nets decided to fully embrace the rebuilding process as they traded away Mikal Bridges, arguably their best player during the 2023-24 season, to the New York Knicks in exchange for a haul of future first-round picks.