The balance of power doesn’t matter when it’s a city rivalry. Add the intensity of the NBA Cup, and it becomes an occasion. The NY rivalry, a game between the New York Knicks and the Brooklyn Nets, has turned hostile. During a potential fourth-quarter resilience from the Cam Thomas-powered Nets, the thick atmosphere broke out into a brawl between OG Anunoby and Dorian Finney-Smith.

Thomas, who is leading Brooklyn’s counter through his sizzling scoring, tried to get free. Veteran Finney-Smith set a compact screen. Anunoby, an energizing defender, who went viral just yesterday for helping Anne Hathaway tick off a “bucket-list moment” by almost running into her, today- tried to fight through. However, his force in doing so wasn’t appreciated by Finney-Smith.

The hoopster responded with a hard push on the Knicks forward. Instantly, all hell broke loose. The respective teams’ benches emptied to separate the two angry individuals from escalating the situation. Understandably, OG Anunoby took offense to the Nets forward’s aggravated reaction… It led to both the players being assessed technical fouls for their violent conduct.

The intensity wasn’t always as heightened at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks, without their hot scorer Karl-Anthony Towns, had a comfortable lead for 3 quarters. A quick flurry from the Nets to begin the 4th changed the tempo, giving momentum to Brooklyn. Likewise, it went down to the wire. The test of patience and poise could only provide one winner. And it came down to the captain.

Madison Square Garden rises for Jalen Brunson!

On Wednesday, Jalen Brunson missed a game-winner against the Bulls. A look of disappointment followed, but there was also a resolution that showed tonight. With KAT out, the captain took over, scoring 37 points on 60% shooting. His most important shot came with 6.2 seconds remaining. After Dennis Schroder hit a massive three for the Nets to take a lead, all eyes went to Brunson. Isolated in the wing, he hit one jab and pulled the trigger. As the devastating dagger fell, the entire MSG roared together.

Then on the other end, his Villanova teammate Mikel Bridges pulled off a sensational block on Schroder’s last-ditch attempt to seal the game. He too has recouped from his shooting slump, scoring 22 points on 4-7 three-point shooting. On the other end, a valiant effort couldn’t meet the end it deserved. Bubbling scorer Cam Thomas was accurate all night, starting by scoring a perfect 19 in the first quarter. The 23-year-old, who Kevin Durant claims is “one of the hardest people to guard in the league” showed just that.

Thomas exploded for 43 points, shooting a ludicrous 72.7% from the floor. If not for him, the Nets wouldn’t have staged a turnaround. Sadly, he met his match in Brunson in what was arguably one of the most entertaining clashes of this season so far. It had aggression, intensity, and energy. For a New York derby, that’s what fans expect. What did you think of this game? Let us know your views below.