Knicks help Nets tank job, take two from BKN at MSG

The Brooklyn Nets own the New York Knicks future draft picks. So Friday night's contest and Sunday night's contest at MSG were kind of a win-win for the Nets. 

Or should I say lose- lose? 

The Nets were projected to be an NBA Draft Lottery-bound team, but after starting the season a surprising 4-4, they have now lost five out of six games. 

Brooklyn faced uch stiffer and tougher opponents over the last week including: the Celtics, Cavaliers and Knicks. 

Brooklyn fought back from an 18-point deficit to start the fourth quarter to take a brief lead in the final seconds on Friday, before Jalen Brunson put the Knicks ahead to stay. 

On Sunday night, Karl-Anthony-Towns returned to the lineup for New York in a big way with 26 points, 15 rebounds and six assists. 

Josh Hart dumped in 20 points to go along with eight rebounds and eight assists, while ex-Net Mikal Bridges added 21 points and five rebounds. 

Cam Johnson led the way for Brooklyn with 22 points, while Cam Thomas and Dorian Finney-Smith had 16 apiece. 

The second part of the two-game mini-series at MSG was without late game dramatics as the Knicks cruised to a 114-104 victory. 

The Nets will return home to Barclays Center on Tuesday night to take on the Hornets in the first home game of the 2025 NBA cup.