Jalen Brunson gave the Suns another run as the Knicks set a new season high in points in their 138-122 win Wednesday night in Phoenix.
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-The Knicks were up for most of the game, but the Suns pulled away in the third period thanks to some amazing three-point shooting and lackluster New York defense. A 17-5 run cut the Knicks’ lead to just 11 points with six minutes left in the quarter. Phoenix’s defensive intensity increased and he was double teamed Jalen Brunson often. However, New York would bounce back and hold the lead between 16-18 for the remainder of the quarter, thanks in large part to Karl-Anthony Towns. KAT was 3-for-4 in the frame, including 2-for-2 from three when the Suns were on the run.
Phoenix would cut the Knicks lead to 12 with seven minutes left in the fourth, but Brunson wouldn’t let the score close with some big buckets.
-The last time Brunson was in Phoenix (Dec. 15, 2023), he scored 50 points on 9-of-9 shooting from three. He extended that streak to 14 straight 3-pointers before finally missing one from beyond the arc in the third quarter. The Knicks captain finished with 36 points on 12-of-21 shooting (7-11 from three), 10 assists, two rebounds and one steal.
Towns scored 34 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. OG Anunoby (14 points, seven rebounds) a Josh Hart (19 points, 11 rebounds, six assists) contributed to the Knicks’ score.
-Two former Suns returned to Phoenix in this one. Mikal Bridgeswho spent his first four seasons with the Suns, had 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting, three rebounds and five assists.
Cam Paynewho spent parts of four seasons in Phoenix, was asked to shoulder the burden of being the starting point guard off the bench with Miles McBride out with pain in the knee and gave birth. Payne scored 12 points while adding three assists and one rebound and one steal off the bench. He also logged 26 minutes, the most from the Knicks bench.
– The sun was gone Kevin Durant a Bradley Beal on Wednesday. Without scoring them, Devin Booker he had to carry this burden and he did an admirable job. Booker scored 33 points on 12-of-23 shooting. No other Suns player had more than 17 points.
Game MVP: Jalen Brunson
Brunson allowed the Knicks to get out to big early leads with his hot shooting and ball distribution. The Suns’ defense held him back a bit in the second half, but when it counted in the fourth quarter, he came up with big buckets.
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What will happen next
The Knicks continue their West Coast road trip against the Utah Jazz on Saturday afternoon. Tip-off is set for 5:00 p.m