This time, Jalen Brunson took the shot.
Two nights after a potential game-winner bounced back, Brunson's trey with 6.2 seconds left beat the Nets 124-122 on Friday night and avoided an epic Knicks collapse at MSG.
On the next possession, Dennis Schroder was denied by Mikal Bridges at the buzzer and the Knicks enthusiastically celebrated the win, but it was too close for comfort.
With Karl-Anthony Towns injured, spectator Tom Brady throwing a football into the crowd during a timeout and the court turning into a sunset in honor of the NBA Cup, the Knicks lost 11.5 seconds of the remaining 37 minutes. He maintained the lead with all exceptions.
That's when the Nets, coming back from a 21-point deficit, took a one-point lead on Schroder's 3-pointer.
Brunson faced Nets defender Dorian Finney-Smith on his next possession and wowed the crowd with an iso jumper.
Bridges, acquired by the Knicks from the Nets in a large draft pick over the summer, scored an efficient 22 points in 41 minutes, although that certainly doesn't quiet the criticism for his tough start in Manhattan. Soothed.
But Bridges also did nothing for most of the fourth quarter, pulling Houdini to Schroder's game-saving block at the end.
The victory required a strong performance from Brunson, who scored 37 points in 34 minutes, and from OG Anunoby, the young Knicks' top player this season.
Guard Dennis Schroder in the first half at Madison Square Garden.
New York, USA, Friday, November 15, 2024. Jason Zenz writes for the New York Post
He guarded Brooklyn's leading scorer, Cam Thomas, who scored 28 points with eight boards.
Anunoby was also the target of a ferocious shove from Finney-Smith, who took issue with the Knicks forward's attempt to physically break through a screen early in the fourth quarter.
Finney-Smith threw Anunoby to the ground and braced himself as if ready to fight. The referees called a double technical, and the Nets began a run that led to a thrilling finish.
The Knicks are 2-0 with wins over Philadelphia and Brooklyn in the NBA Cup.
Schroder passes the ball in the second half at New Madison Square Garden.
York, USA, Friday, November 15, 2024. Jason Zenz writes for the New York Post
Towns was listed as questionable due to a knee contusion he suffered two nights before the game against the Bulls, and was a late DNP.
Miles McBride also missed the game due to illness, forcing the Knicks to adjust their starting lineup with Jericho Sims at center for the first time this season.
