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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 20: Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks looks to pass the ball against Josh Minott #00 of the Brooklyn Nets during the first quarter at Barclays Center on March 20, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Pamela Smith/Getty Images)
The New York Knicks beat the Brooklyn Nets 93-92 on Friday night at Barclays Center. Karl-Anthony Towns delivered 26 points and 15 rebounds despite dealing with a family emergency. The Knicks extended their winning streak to five games.
The win came down to the wire. Brooklyn pushed New York to the limit despite playing without multiple rotation players. Josh Minott came off the bench and put up 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting with 5 rebounds in 26 minutes.
After the game, Minott addressed what losing to the Knicks meant to him.
Minott Gets Honest After the Loss
Josh Minott spoke to reporters after Friday’s loss, and his response revealed how badly he wanted to beat New York.
“I wanted that s— so f—ing bad,” Minott said. “Ever since we’ve been here, it’s like every game’s an away game. Tonight was just the night to really just stick it to everybody. Just as an organization and as a team to show people that we got shit here. Sea of blue, sea of orange, every game we play, a sea of the other team. That’s all I heard when I was on the Celtics, but being here, I got nothing but respect for the real Brooklyn fans. Shoutout to them, because I know it’s tough being outnumbered every single game. But I really feel like what we have here isn’t bullshit. We have pieces here. I’ve seen it. So I’d say that’s what this rivalry matchup meant to me.”
The frustration was clear. So was the passion. Minott acknowledged the reality that Nets home games often feel like road games when the Knicks come to town. Barclays Center filled with New York fans Friday night. The sea of blue and orange made it feel like a Knicks home game.
The comments were blunt, but they were real. Minott gave respect to the Brooklyn fans who show up despite being outnumbered. He stood up for his new team. That kind of passion is good for basketball in New York City.
Minott Calls Out Towns for Not Liking Physicality
In the same postgame interview, Minott also called out his former teammate Karl-Anthony Towns.
“I played with KAT for 2.5 years. I know him like this, and he don’t like physicality,” Minott said. “I love KAT, but he don’t like physicality. That’s my boy, too. I hope this angers him.”
The comment came from someone who spent 2.5 years playing alongside Towns on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Minott knows his former teammate’s tendencies. He said he hopes the comment angers Towns.
Towns nearly didn’t play Friday night. He was listed as questionable for personal reasons before tipoff. His father, Karl Sr., is recovering from a medical procedure, but wanted him to play. Towns showed up for the Knicks and delivered despite the circumstances.
Towns finished with 26 points on 7-of-16 shooting and 11-of-13 from the free-throw line. He grabbed 15 rebounds in 29 minutes. The double-double helped the Knicks escape with a one-point win over a Nets team that gave them everything they could handle.
GettyKarl-Anthony Towns of the New York Knicks.
The Knicks Escape With the Win
The Knicks led by as many as 11 points in the first half before Brooklyn clawed back.
Towns responded when it mattered most. He scored in the paint. He got to the free-throw line. The double-double helped New York maintain control despite Brooklyn’s push.
The Nets pushed New York to the final possession.
The Knicks found a way to win, and improved to 46-24 with the victory. The five-game winning streak has the Knicks trending in the right direction as they fight for playoff positioning in the Eastern Conference.
Final Word for the Knicks
The Knicks left Brooklyn with a one-point win on Friday night.
Josh Minott’s passionate response after the game revealed how badly he wanted to beat New York. He came up just short.
Towns delivered despite almost not playing. The winning streak reached five games.
The Knicks face the Wizards next at Madison Square Garden.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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