The New York Knicks hosted the Phoenix Suns last night at Madison Square Garden in a high-intensity matchup that felt like a playoff battle. The Knicks were looking to redeem themselves after a narrow 112-107 loss to Phoenix on January 9, but they faced a steep uphill climb from the jump. Star guard Jalen Brunson, who led the team with 27 points in their previous meeting, was notably absent from the lineup with a suspected ankle sprain.
The first moments of the game seemed as though the Phoenix Suns were bringing the heat with them, securing the ball at tip-off and guard Devin Booker shooting quickly to set the tone. However, the Knicks came in even hotter, with the entire starting lineup managing to score before the end of the first quarter. Despite the absence of their captain, New York’s ball movement and energy gave the Garden crowd early hope for a revenge victory.
As the game progressed, the Suns’ strong defense began to take its toll. Phoenix clamped down in the paint and forced the Knicks into difficult perimeter looks. While Karl-Anthony Towns and Miles McBride both battled for 23 points apiece, the Knicks’ shooting faltered in the game’s closing minutes.
A critical 15-0 run by the Suns spanning the late third and early fourth quarters turned a Knicks lead into a deficit they couldn’t overcome. The last quarter of the game was a hard watch for Knicks fans all around, with the Suns’ defense pushing heavy and ultimately proving too much for New York.
Towns, who struggled with his touch late in the game, reflected on the missed opportunities:
“We got good shots, we got good looks, we just didn’t make them. The game’s not won and lost in the fourth, it’s won through 48 minutes of execution and work… it’s just a bad time to have the ball slip out of your hand like that.”
The 106-99 loss marks a difficult stretch for New York, who have now lost eight of their last 10 games. Despite the slump, forward OG Anunoby remains focused on the big picture. When asked about the level of frustration within the team, Anunoby noted:
“Well you never want to lose games, but I mean, I think we’re pretty positive on to the next game. Watch the film, review the stuff, try to improve, just keep building.”
Head Coach Mike Brown echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the fans’ frustration but praising his team’s effort. “You don’t want to lose games at all, especially going two and eight in the last 10,” Brown said. “Starting with me, we got to get in the gym, we got to work as much as we can and we got to keep trying to fight like we did tonight.”
The Knicks now face a crucial practice session to address their offensive rhythm before their next outing. As Towns put it, the team is ready to “get to the chalkboard and figure it out” to give the Garden faithful something to cheer for once again.
The team is set to face the Dallas Mavericks in New York on their home court, Monday, January 19, at 5 p.m. ET.
