Booker Torches Knicks
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
21 points from OG Anunoby,15 points from Mikal Bridges and 23 points from Karl-Anthony Towns and Miles “Deuce” McBride each, were not enough for a win, as the New York Knicks lost 106-99 to the Phoenix Suns Saturday evening at Madison Square Garden.
Compared to the Knicks four players, the Suns, led by Devin Booker with a game high 27 points, had six players who scored in double digits. The Knicks fell behind in the third quarter and could not regain a lead in the fourth when they had the least accuracy making shots.
“Yeah, you don’t want to lose games at all, especially going two and eight in the last 10,” said Head Coach Mike Brown. “We got to keep trying to fight like we did tonight and if we do, we’re going to give ourselves a chance.”
It was a competitive game. The Knicks played without usual starters Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart Saturday, but Landry Shamet, returned for his first home game since his shoulder injury in November. Shamet, who played his first game back against the Golden State Warriors during Thursday’s away matchup, added five points, a block and a rebound.
The Knicks were ahead of the Suns 27-19 at the end of the first quarter and led 56-55 at halftime, but the Suns returned from halftime and immediately started scoring.
“We knew that they were going to make a run,” said Phoenix Suns Head Coach Jordan Ott about his message to his team. “So, we wanted to punch first, which we did in that third quarter, they responded and we knew at that point we had to respond.”
New York did answer Phoenix’s early advances in the third quarter, with a 10-point lead, 75-65, with 5:08 minutes remained, but Phoenix regained the lead. The Knicks were outscored 25-21 in the 3rd quarter alone. They made 38.1% of their attempted field goals and 35.7% of their 3-pointers in the quarter, while Phoenix made 42.9% of their field goals and 40% of their 3-pointers. The Knicks trailed 80-77 going into the fourth quarter.
“I thought they played hard and they were physical in the first half,” said Coach Brown about the Suns in the third quarter. “I thought they played hard and they were physical in the second half.”
Brown said he also felt New York played hard and physical as well, but were hurt by 17 turnovers and the Suns’ offensive rebounding.
The Knicks had less accuracy in the fourth quarter. They made 35% of their attempted field goals and 10% of their 3-pointers.
Booker passed Steve Nash on the NBA all-time scoring list.
The Knicks returned to MSG on Monday to take on the Dallas Mavericks on their annual Martin Luther King, Jr game.
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