Nets Seek End to 12-Game Skid vs. Knicks at Madison
Nets vs Knicks rivalry losing streak 2026
The Brooklyn Nets travel across the East River on Wednesday night, January 21, 2026, facing a historic imperative to snap a 12-game losing streak against the New York Knicks. Brooklyn has not secured a victory over their Manhattan rivals in nearly three years, with their last win dating back to January 28, 2023, during the final days of the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving era. This current drought marks the longest losing streak suffered by either franchise in the history of the series, which began in 1976. For second-year head coach Jordi Fernández, the matchup at Madison Square Garden is more than just a divisional game; it is an opportunity to prove his rebuilding squad can compete with a Knicks team that has recently established total dominance in the “Battle of the Boroughs.”
Despite the lopsided history, the timing may favor Brooklyn as the Knicks enter the contest in what local media has termed “crisis mode.” New York has lost four consecutive games and eight of its last ten, plummeting into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference. The slump reached a breaking point following a 114-97 home-court loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, which prompted star guard Jalen Brunson to call a players-only meeting to address a perceived lack of cohesion. The Knicks’ defense has been particularly vulnerable lately, ranking 28th in the league since late December. This defensive regression, combined with uncharacteristic shooting struggles from Karl-Anthony Towns, has created an opening for a Nets team that showed flashes of life in December despite their overall 12-29 record.
Brooklyn’s hopes of an upset rest heavily on the shoulders of Michael Porter Jr., who has emerged as a prolific scorer for the Nets this season, averaging 25.7 points and 7.4 rebounds. Porter Jr. led the team with 23 points in a narrow 126-117 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Monday, demonstrating the efficient perimeter shooting necessary to challenge New York’s perimeter defense. Additionally, center Nic Claxton continues to be a defensive anchor for Brooklyn, averaging 7.6 rebounds and providing essential rim protection. Coach Fernández emphasized the need for a “punch-first” start, noting that the longer the game remains close, the more the pressure of the home crowd may weigh on a Knicks team desperate to “stop the bleeding.”
The Knicks will benefit from the return of Jalen Brunson, who was cleared from a right ankle sprain that sidelined him briefly. Brunson has historically performed well against Brooklyn, averaging over 20 points in their head-to-head matchups, and his leadership will be critical in stabilizing a backcourt that has lacked rhythm during the recent slide. The matchup also features a personal subplot on the sidelines, as Fernández faces off against his mentor, Knicks head coach Mike Brown, under whom he served as an associate head coach in Sacramento. While the Knicks are favored by 11.5 points, the desperation of both squads—one fighting to maintain elite standing and the other seeking to erase a years-long embarrassment—promises a high-stakes chapter in this New York rivalry.
