Knicks Continue to Struggle
Things are starting to look grim for the Knicks after their 106-99 loss to the Suns at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. It’s not just a bad game; it feels like a pattern.
In a frustrating turn of events, they managed a 16-0 run in the third quarter, which even gave them a 10-point cushion. But they entered the final quarter with only a three-point lead. It’s kind of shocking, really, how they allowed Phoenix to finish that period on a 13-0 run, erasing all the momentum they had built.
That’s just how it is for the Knicks right now—more lows than highs.
Granted, they were missing Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart due to ankle injuries. Yet, with over $134 million in talent on the court—featuring Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and Mikal Bridges—it’s hard to understand how they’d falter so badly. Committing 17 turnovers and shooting poorly didn’t help their cause, though.
The alarm bells are ringing louder after this defeat. They now sit at 2-8 over their last ten games and 7-10 since winning the NBA Cup. Since that in-season victory, they’ve lost four straight games, currently riding a three-game losing streak.
It’s a tough time for them—this isn’t just some rough patch; it feels more like a long haul.
Devin Booker made a return after missing a game due to an ankle injury, scoring 27 points for the Suns. Collin Gillespie also contributed significantly, adding eight points in the fourth quarter as Phoenix began to pull away.
The Suns got notable support from their bench, with Grayson Allen and Jordan Goodwin putting up 16 and 13 points, respectively, leading to a hefty 39-14 bench scoring advantage over the Knicks.
There’s been a lot of criticism about the Knicks’ defense lately, but honestly, that wasn’t their main issue on Saturday. Offensively, they struggled, hitting only 40 percent of their shots and facing a nine-point deficit due to turnovers. It’s been five games since January 1 where they scored less than 107 points, and three of those times, they didn’t even hit 100.
Although Towns, Anunoby, and Miles McBride logged respectable points—23, 21, and 23, respectively—there was a noticeable void in the fourth quarter when they trailed by four points.
With just over a minute left and down by seven, Towns had an opportunity to alter the game; he took a wide-open three-pointer but barely grazed the rim. The crowd at MSG definitely made their feelings clear.
The Suns, ranked fourth in the NBA for offensive rebounds per game, took advantage of the Knicks’ absence of Hart, who usually provides a boost on the boards. During a pivotal five minutes in the second quarter, they secured four offensive rebounds, turning those into nine second-chance points, ultimately outscoring the Knicks in that category.
As they left the West Coast, the Knicks were likely still feeling the sting of Draymond Green’s recent comments aimed at Towns. With the boos echoing through the arena, they now face the challenge of turning things around during this homestand.
