Booker’s 3-Pointers Takes Out Knicks
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Shara Talia Taylor
Brunson’s 30 Points Not Enough In Loss To The Suns
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
The New York Knicks’ Thanksgiving success and home winning streak was stopped short at four games after a 116-113 loss to the Phoenix Suns Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.
The game was tied at 113 in the final seconds as a three-pointer by Devin Booker pushed Phoenix ahead, but the final shot taken by Jalen Brunson rolled off the rim in the last second. Brunson led New York in scoring throughout the game, as they fought their way back from being down 15 points in the second quarter and tied the game multiple times.
“We got in a hole, then used a lot of energy to come back and then couldn’t finish it,” said Head Coach Tom Thibodeau.
The Knicks trailed the Suns 34-22 at the end of the first quarter. Brunson led New York with 12 points in the first quarter and Eric Gordon led Phoenix with 12 points.
Coach Thibodeau said it was low energy defensively that allowed Gordon to score. “Can’t give people confidence,” he said.
The Knicks were behind 64-56 at halftime. Brunson led New York with 20 points at the half and Gordon led Phoenix with 17 points.
The Suns out-rebounded the Knicks 31-17 in the first half alone.
A shot by Julius Randle tied the game at 84 with about 3:03 minutes left in the third quarter. New York gained the lead, Phoenix pushed back to regain it and the score was tied twice before the end of the quarter. The Knicks were behind 95-92 going into the fourth quarter. The Suns kept the lead most of the fourth quarter, but not by more the six points as the Knicks stayed competitive and Brunson tied the score at 107 and again at 113 before the game ended.
Brunson led the Knicks with 35 total points, eight assists and three steals. Randle added 28 points. Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal were out from injuries and did not play for the Suns.
