Knicks Struggle Again in Loss to Suns
PHOENIX — Jalen Brunson couldn’t turn things around for the struggling Knicks.
In fact, he stumbled at a crucial juncture.
As he attempted to lead his team to a road victory, Brunson committed two costly turnovers in the fourth quarter of a 112-107 defeat against the Suns, shooting just 1-for-6 in the last 95 seconds.
With owner James Dolan present in Phoenix, the Knicks fell apart, racking up 18 turnovers as Karl-Anthony Towns had a disappointing game, scoring only 15 points in 33 minutes.
Dolan’s team (24-14) has now lost five of its last six games, primarily due to subpar performance on both offense and defense.
After an interview on WFAN where Dolan outlined expectations for the team’s progress, his presence seemed to amplify the pressure. It’s not typical for him to attend away games, so his visit raised some eyebrows, especially given that his entertainment venue, The Sphere, is near Las Vegas.
“We want to get to the Finals, and we have to win the Finals,” Dolan remarked recently. “This is a sport, and anything can happen. But to reach the finals, we absolutely have to do it.”
Things haven’t gone as planned lately, particularly in Phoenix. The Knicks were ahead by two with just over four minutes left, yet managed only two points in the following four minutes.
They turned the ball over six times in the fourth quarter and shot a disappointing 32 percent from the field.
OG Anunoby missed two of three free throws with just 2.2 seconds remaining, sealing the loss.
The fourth quarter was pivotal, but an earlier moment in the third also stood out. The Suns were leading by four when Dillon Brooks, exploiting New York’s defense, made an impressive drive to the basket.
Brunson responded by hitting a three-pointer and later converting two free throws, putting the Knicks ahead 80-78 after trailing by 11 points in the first quarter.
It looked promising, but then the Suns quickly went on a 14-0 run, capitalizing on the Knicks’ turnovers. The referees didn’t offer help, even as the Knicks looked for calls, leaving New York down by eight entering the final quarter, unable to recover.
The Suns (23-15), initially expected to struggle after trading Kevin Durant, have instead impressed with rookie Dillon Brooks stepping up and Devin Booker returning to form.
Booker, a standout performer, scored 31 points and dished out eight assists, while Brooks contributed significantly, scoring 20 of his 27 points in the first half.
“They’ve been playing some solid basketball,” Knicks coach Mike Brown noted. “With veterans who know how to play, Brooks contributes defensively and offensively. And Booker is obviously an All-Star. They force the pace and rebound well. We need to stick to our game plan to counter their attacks.”
Meanwhile, the Knicks are in the process of restructuring. On Tuesday, Brown was back at the practice facility, adjusting strategies after weeks of challenges.
“I need to keep finding ways to assist them, and that’s my responsibility,” Brown stated. “We’ve made some adjustments on both ends and will see if they effectively tackle the issues we’ve encountered.”
Friday’s game didn’t help their cause.
