Phoenix Suns Sweep Season Series Against New York Knicks

The Phoenix Suns made a statement in their latest matchup against the New York Knicks, securing a 106-99 victory at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. This win not only swept the season series but also marked the Knicks’ third consecutive loss and fourth in their last five games. The Suns capitalized on the absence of Jalen Brunson due to an ankle injury, showcasing their depth and resilience.

Devin Booker led the charge for the Suns after returning from his own ankle injury. He delivered a strong performance with 27 points (7-18 FG), four rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Grayson Allen followed up his impressive 33-point game against the Detroit Pistons with 16 points (4-14 FG), three assists, and one steal. Mark Williams contributed 14 points (5-8 FG), nine rebounds, one assist, and one block. With this win, the Suns ended a two-game losing streak and improved their record to 25-17.

On the Knicks’ side, Miles McBride stepped up in the absence of Brunson, scoring 23 points (9-18 FG), two rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Karl-Anthony Towns also had a solid game with 23 points (7-16 FG), 11 rebounds, two assists, and one block. However, Towns struggled in the fourth quarter, missing two key shots. The Knicks fell to 25-17, matching the Suns’ record.

Knicks Blow Their Advantage In The Third Quarter

The game was tightly contested in the second quarter, with both teams trading blows. The Knicks took control early in the third quarter, going on a 16-0 run to build a 10-point lead with five minutes remaining. However, they failed to maintain their momentum, allowing the Suns to respond with a 13-0 run to end the quarter. The Suns entered the fourth quarter with an 80-77 lead.

The Knicks made several critical mistakes during this stretch. They committed four turnovers and allowed Booker to get an and-one after failing to use a foul on the final possession of the period. These errors proved costly, as the Knicks could have easily taken the lead if they had executed better.

A Huge Difference In Bench Production

With Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson sidelined, the Knicks needed contributions from their bench players. Unfortunately, they received very little support. The Knicks’ reserves scored just 14 points on 4-15 shooting (26.6%). Jordan Clarkson was a major disappointment, scoring six points on 2-8 shooting and finishing with a -13 plus-minus. Tyler Kolek was even worse, posting a -17 in 17 minutes off the bench.

In contrast, the Suns’ bench delivered a strong performance. Allen alone outscored the Knicks’ bench with 16 points. Jordan Goodwin added 13 points, and the Suns’ bench combined for 39 points. This 25-point advantage was a crucial factor in the Suns’ victory.

Suns Capitalize On Turnovers, Knicks Don’t On Offensive Rebounds

The Suns are known for their ability to force turnovers, and they did so again in this game. The Knicks committed 17 turnovers, resulting in 19 points for the visitors. The Suns, on the other hand, turned over the ball 12 times but only allowed 10 points off those turnovers. This nine-point advantage played a significant role in the Suns’ seven-point win.

While the Knicks are typically a stronger rebounding team, they struggled to convert their offensive opportunities. They pulled down 15 offensive rebounds compared to the Suns’ 13, but the Suns managed to score more second-chance points. The Suns had 21 second-chance points, while the Knicks had 17. This highlights the importance of converting rebounds into points, something the Knicks failed to do consistently.