The energy in Madison Square Garden is usually electric, but tonight felt different. Everyone was staring at the tunnel, waiting to see if Jalen Brunson would emerge. He didn't. Without their engine, the New York Knicks had to find a way to stop a surging Phoenix Suns team. It wasn't pretty.
The Final Knicks Game Score Breakdown
The New York Knicks fell to the Phoenix Suns with a final score of 118-109.
Honestly, the score makes it look closer than it felt for most of the second half. Phoenix came out swinging, led by a backcourt that just wouldn't quit. For the Knicks, this loss marks a troubling slide. They’ve now lost seven of their last nine games. It’s a rough patch. A really rough patch.
How the Game Got Away
The first quarter was actually promising. New York looked like they had a chip on their shoulder after that brutal road trip. OG Anunoby was everywhere. He finished the night with 25 points, matching his output from the Golden State game just two nights ago. He’s becoming the primary option by default, which is a lot to ask of a guy known for his "D and 3" prowess.
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Then the second quarter happened.
The Suns went on a 14-2 run that sucked the air out of the building. Devin Booker was hitting everything. Even when Mikal Bridges draped himself over Booker, the ball found the bottom of the net. Bridges, facing his old team, looked a bit rattled. He ended with 21 points, but his shooting efficiency was—let's be real—subpar.
- Knicks Top Scorer: OG Anunoby (25 points)
- Suns Top Scorer: Devin Booker (31 points)
- The Rebound King: Karl-Anthony Towns (15 boards)
Karl-Anthony Towns is doing what he can. He grabbed 15 rebounds tonight, but he’s still looking for his rhythm in Mike Brown’s system. Speaking of Mike Brown, this "reunion tour" hasn't gone as planned. After being fired by the Kings last year and then losing to them on Wednesday, Brown is now 0-2 in his last two games against teams with major personal history.
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Why the Brunson Absence is Killing Them
You’ve seen this story before. Jalen Brunson is the head of the snake. Without him, the Knicks’ offense is basically a collection of talented individuals trying to take turns. There’s no flow. Miles "Deuce" McBride stepped into the starting role again and put up 18 points, but he isn't the playmaker Brunson is.
Brunson’s sprained right ankle, suffered in Sacramento, is clearly the pivot point for this season. The team is 25-17 now. They’re still in the mix in the East, but they are bleeding ground.
What the Experts Are Saying
I talked to some folks around the league, and the consensus is simple: the Knicks lack bench depth. When Landry Shamet went down with that shoulder injury earlier in the month, it forced the starters to play massive minutes. Thibs—well, Mike Brown is the coach now, but the spirit of Thibs remains—is leaning on Bridges and Anunoby for 40+ minutes a night.
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That’s a recipe for late-game fatigue.
You could see it in the fourth quarter tonight. The Knicks had the lead down to six with four minutes left. Then, three straight empty possessions. A missed layup, a turnover by Josh Hart, and a forced three-pointer. Phoenix capitalized with a transition dunk, and that was basically curtains.
Looking Ahead: Can They Right the Ship?
The schedule doesn't get any easier. They have Dallas coming to town on Monday. If Brunson isn't back, Luka Doncic might have a field day with a tired Knicks perimeter defense.
The medical staff is officially listing Brunson as day-to-day. My gut says they shouldn't rush him. Losing a few games in January is better than losing him for the playoffs in April. But the Garden crowd is getting restless. You could hear the boos starting to percolate during the final two minutes tonight.
Actionable Next Steps for Knicks Fans:
- Monitor the Injury Report: Check the official NBA injury report two hours before the Dallas game. Brunson’s status will likely be a "game-time decision."
- Watch the Minutes: Keep an eye on Mikal Bridges' usage. If he's hitting the 40-minute mark again, expect a shooting slump to continue.
- Adjust Expectations: The Knicks are currently the 2nd seed in the East (barely), but with this losing streak, they might drop to 4th or 5th by next week. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
The Knicks need to find their identity again. Fast. Without it, the "World's Most Famous Arena" is just going to be a very expensive place to watch a losing team.