NEW YORK — Mikal Bridges didn’t get a tribute video in his return to Barclays Center on Tuesday, but he did get a “Welcome back” graphic that was displayed on the jumbotron when the Knicks‘ starters were introduced.

Nostalgia aside, the latest entry in the NBA’s interborough rivalry proved to be a war — one that the Bridges and the Knicks ultimately prevailed in, 99-95.

Even though the Nets were once again playing shorthanded without Cam Thomas (left hamstring strain), Ben Simmons (illness), Ziaire Williams (left ankle sprain) and Trendon Watford (left hamstring strain), they overcame an early 15-5 deficit to take a 26-24 lead into the second quarter — and continued to compete throughout regulation.

Brooklyn, which entered the night with three straight losses, limited the Knicks to 37.5% shooting in the opening quarter and just nine points in the final 7:35. The Knicks’ usual host of starters — Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns — all played.

However, the Knicks dominated the second quarter 35-25, fueled by Towns, who dropped 12 points in the period on 5-for-6 shooting. His scoring outburst, combined with a 59.1% team shooting effort, added up to a 59-51 Knicks advantage at halftime.

Nets center Nic Claxton had no answer for Towns at either end of the court early. He was a team-worst minus-20 in 15 first-half minutes. Cam Johnson and D’Angelo Russell combined for 24 points through two quarters of action, doing their best to keep Brooklyn afloat.

Claxton, to his credit, appeared more energized in the second half. He was more aggressive on offense, although he still had trouble finishing around the rim, and he finally made his presence felt on the glass.

However, the Knicks limited Johnson to two points in the third quarter while Towns kept pouring it on with little resistance. Once Russell checked out briefly after picking up his fourth foul with 6:36 left in the period, the Knicks responded with an 8-0 run to go up 76-64. The Nets had five turnovers in the third quarter, resulting in eight extra points for the Knicks, and went into the fourth down 84-75.

It did get tight late. A Brunson miss, followed by a Johnson dunk in transition, made it an 87-85 game with 6:03 left. After a Knicks timeout, Towns missed an easy look four feet from the rim, then Keon Johnson knocked down his first 3-pointer of the night from the right wing.

Just like that, the Nets led 88-87, but the Knicks quickly snatched back momentum and were up 97-95 with 23 seconds left. The Nets had possession with a chance to tie or take the lead.

Jordi Fernandez drew up a play for Cam Johnson at the top of the key, and his team executed to near perfection. But he missed the open 27-footer off the back of the rim, forcing Brooklyn to foul on the Knicks’ ensuing possession. Brunson iced the game at the free-throw line, with “MVP” chants echoing throughout the arena.

Russell finished with 23 points and 10 assists in 32 minutes, notching his second 20/10 game of the season and his first this season with the Nets. He also recorded a career-high-tying three blocked shots.

Cam Johnson added 16 points but did it on 6-for-20 shooting. And after a slow start, Claxton wound up matching his season highs in rebounds (12) and offensive rebounds (five).

Towns led the Knicks with 25 points, 16 rebounds and six assists, but it wasn’t a memorable night for Bridges, who scored 10 points on 3-for-12 shooting.

The Knicks, who improved to 29-16, have now won consecutive games for the first time since rattling off nine straight from Dec. 15-Jan. 1. They’re 3-0 against Brooklyn this season. The Nets, now losers of four straight, fell to 14-30.

The Nets and Knicks will meet for the final time this season on April 13 at Barclays Center. It will be the season finale for both teams. Brooklyn will return to action on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns at home. The Knicks will have three days off before hosting the Sacramento Kings at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.