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Knicks-Nets matchup holds special meaning for Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Josh Hart #3 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks walk off the court after the game against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2023 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 Evan Yu/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 11: Josh Hart #3 and Jalen Brunson #11 of the New York Knicks walk off the court after the game against the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 2023 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 Evan Yu/Getty Images) /
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For the third time this season, the New York Knicks will take on the Brooklyn Nets. However, this Nets squad doesn’t look like the one that the Knicks faced at the end of January.

Two days after Kyrie Irving requested a trade on Feb. 3, Brooklyn traded him to Dallas for Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie. A few days later, the Nets unexpectedly traded Durant to the Suns for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder (who has since been traded to the Bucks). Brooklyn’s roster looks much different than it did two weeks ago.

New York made one move ahead of the deadline, sending Cam Reddish, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Ryan Arcidiacono to the Trail Blazers for Josh Hart. The 27-year-old made his Knicks debut in Saturday’s 126-120 win over the Jazz and finished with 11 points (3-of-6), seven rebounds, and four assists.

Hart’s second game of his Knicks career will be just as special as his first. He and Jalen Brunson, who were teammates at Villanova when they won the national championship in 2016, will go up against Mikal Bridges, who was also part of that championship team.

Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Mikal Bridges add another layer to Knicks-Nets rivalry

Mikal Bridges suited up for the Nets for the first time since being traded in Brooklyn’s 101-98 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. He led the Nets with 23 points (8-of-18) and six rebounds in his debut but missed a potential game-winning layup. Bridges will have the chance to get his first win with Brooklyn on Monday night at MSG against Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart.

Shortly after Hart was traded to the Knicks, Bridges opened up Twitter to react to two of his former Villanova teammates linking up in NYC.

Little did he know, hours later, he would be part of a blockbuster trade that would also send him to NYC. Here’s how Hart reacted to that news.

The trio is back together in the same city, but Bridges plays on the other side of the river. In the Nets’ game against the Bulls on Thursday, Bridges and Johnson were sitting courtside. When asked about playing in New York, Bridges’ immediate response was how much he enjoys playing at MSG.

He’ll get to do just that on Monday against two of his former teammates and good friends. The Knicks haven’t beaten the Nets since 2020, so tonight could be the night that New York breaks Brooklyn’s nine-game winning streak. It’ll be a fun one.

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