Knicks vs. Nets: Regular Season Finale Preview, Injury Report, and Prediction

The New York Knicks (50-31) will wrap up their 2024-25 regular season on Sunday, April 14, with a cross-town showdown against the Brooklyn Nets (26-55) at Barclays Center.

With the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference already secured, the Knicks are set to face the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Meanwhile, the Nets—long eliminated from postseason contention—are simply playing to avoid a four-game season sweep at the hands of their rivals.

Will the Knicks Rest Starters?

Head coach Tom Thibodeau has not confirmed whether he’ll rest key players, but with the postseason on the horizon, it's likely the Knicks will take a cautious approach. Jalen Brunson, recently back from a sprained ankle, is listed as day-to-day alongside OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, and Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Nets are also short-handed, ruling out D’Angelo Russell, Cameron Johnson, and Day’Ron Sharpe, while Ziaire Williams and Reece Beekman are listed as game-time decisions.

Projected Lineups and Team Trends

Brooklyn is expected to start a young and developing lineup featuring Drew Timme, Jalen Wilson, Reece Beekman, Trendon Watford, and Keon Johnson—the same group that took the floor in their Friday night loss to the Timberwolves.

The Knicks head into this game on a three-game losing streak, having fallen to Boston, Detroit, and Cleveland. Defensive lapses and second-half inconsistency have plagued them in recent outings, despite solid performances from Brunson when healthy.

The Nets have shown occasional flashes of competitiveness—including a recent win over New Orleans—but remain near the bottom of the NBA in both opponent field goal percentage and turnovers committed.

Last Matchup Recap

The last time these teams met was January 21, 2025, when the Knicks earned a tight 99–95 victory at Barclays Center. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 6 assists, while Anunoby added 20 points. Brunson contributed 17, and Hart nearly posted a triple-double with 12 rebounds and 9 assists. Russell paced the Nets with 23 points and 10 assists in the losing effort.

Game Prediction

According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, the Knicks are favored with a 74% chance to win. With no playoff implications for either team, expect a loose, fast-paced game where Brooklyn might take more chances and New York could lean on its bench to preserve its stars. Still, look for the Knicks to cruise to a comfortable win and close out the regular season on a high note.

Final Score Prediction: Knicks 108, Nets 94