History of Knicks–Nets rivalry in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 20, 2026

The Knicks–Nets rivalry is a crosstown rivalry between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, both NBA teams in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. The Knicks, founded in 1946, have played at Madison Square Garden since 1968. The Nets, established in 1967 and joined the NBA in 1976, have been based in Brooklyn at Barclays Center since 2012, having always been in the New York metropolitan area.

1946: Knicks Established

In 1946, the New York Knicks were established as one of the charter franchises of the NBA.

1966: Nets Originally Established

In 1966, the Nets were originally established as the New York Americans, a founding member of the American Basketball Association (ABA).

1967: Nets Established

In 1967, the Nets were established as a member of the now-defunct American Basketball Association.

1968: Knicks Move to Madison Square Garden

In 1968, the New York Knicks moved to Madison Square Garden in Midtown Manhattan, where they have been based since.

1972: Nets Become Tenant of Nassau Coliseum

In 1972, the Nets became the basketball tenant of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

1976: Nets Join the NBA

In 1976, the Nets joined the NBA.

1976: Nets Pay Encroachment Fee and Sell Julius Erving

In 1976, upon transferring to the NBA, the New York Nets had to pay an encroachment fee of US$4.8 million to the Knicks, and were forced to sell superstar Julius Erving to the Philadelphia 76ers to meet financial obligations.

1977: Knicks Threaten to Block Nets Move

In 1977, the Knicks threatened to block the Nets' move back to New Jersey, but the Nets responded by suing the Knicks, which led to a settlement where the Nets paid the Knicks $4 million for the rights to move.

1977: Nets Play in New Jersey

In 1977, the Nets began playing in the state of New Jersey as the New Jersey Nets.

1981: Nets Move to Brendan Byrne Arena

In 1981, the New Jersey Nets moved to Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, their home until 2010.

1983: Knicks Defeat Nets in Playoffs

In 1983, the Knicks easily defeated the Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

1994: Knicks Defeat Nets in Playoffs

In 1994, the Knicks once again easily defeated the Nets in the first round of the NBA playoffs.

2001: Nets Trade for Jason Kidd

In 2001, with the trade of Stephon Marbury to the Suns for Jason Kidd, the Nets became the class of the Eastern Conference.

2004: Marbury Traded to Knicks

In 2004, Stephon Marbury, who was once traded for Kidd, was traded to the Knicks, intensifying the rivalry. The Nets swept the Knicks in the first round of the 2004 playoffs, which included a spat between Tim Thomas and Kenyon Martin.

2004: Playoff Meeting

In 2004, the Knicks and Nets met in the playoffs, marking one of three times they have met in the playoffs throughout their history.

2010: Prokhorov's Comments

In 2010, after buying the Nets, Mikhail Prokhorov took jabs at the Knicks, aiming to convert Knicks fans to Nets fans and claiming the Nets caused the Knicks to overpay for Carmelo Anthony.

2010: Marketing Battle Begins

In 2010, the Knicks and Nets began a marketing battle, with the Nets' Prokhorov purchasing a large billboard near Madison Square Garden and the Knicks responding with a television commercial.

2010: Nets Final Season in New Jersey

In 2010, the Nets played their final season in New Jersey at the Prudential Center in downtown Newark.

2012: End of Nets in New Jersey

In 2012, the Nets ended their run in New Jersey.

2012: Nets Move to Brooklyn

In 2012, the Nets relocated to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, becoming an intra-city series.

2015: Islanders at Barclays Center

From 2015 to 2020, the rivalry between the New York Islanders and New York Rangers of the National Hockey League shared this crosstown rivalry when the Islanders played at the Barclays Center.

2020: Islanders at Barclays Center

From 2015 to 2020, the rivalry between the New York Islanders and New York Rangers of the National Hockey League shared this crosstown rivalry when the Islanders played at the Barclays Center.