The energy at Madison Square Garden was weirdly tense tonight. Maybe it was the cold January air outside or just the fact that the New York Knicks were trying to shake off a rough stretch of road games. If you’re looking for the short answer: The Phoenix Suns beat the New York Knicks 112-107. It wasn't pretty. Honestly, it felt like a mirror image of their meeting just about a week ago. The Knicks looked step slow in the first half, and while Jalen Brunson tried to put the team on his back in the fourth, it just wasn't enough to overcome a gritty Suns squad that seems to have New York’s number this season.
How the Knicks Game Was Won (and Lost) Tonight
Phoenix came into the Garden tonight as 3.5-point underdogs. Most of the betting world expected a Knicks bounce-back. Instead, Grayson Allen happened. With Devin Booker sidelined due to that nagging ankle sprain, Allen stepped into the spotlight and basically didn't miss. He finished with 33 points, hitting circus shots and timely threes every time the Knicks threatened to make a run.
New York’s defense, which has been hovering around 13th in the league lately, looked porous early on. They allowed 32 points in the first quarter alone. You can’t do that against a team like Phoenix, even if they're missing their primary superstar.
The Brunson and Towns Connection
Jalen Brunson did his thing. He finished with 28 points, which is right on his season average, but he looked frustrated by the Suns' constant double teams. Karl-Anthony Towns was a beast on the boards—grabbing 12 rebounds and adding 22 points—but the chemistry with the bench units still feels a work in progress.
The Knicks' record now sits at 25-17. It’s not panic time, but being 3rd in the Eastern Conference is getting a lot harder with the way the Atlantic Division is shaping up.
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Key Stats from Tonight’s Knicks Game
If you're a box score junkie, the story of the game was the three-point line. The Knicks shot a dismal 24% from deep. When you’re taking 40 shots from beyond the arc and only 10 go in, you’re basically handing the opponent the keys to the city.
- Final Score: Phoenix Suns 112, New York Knicks 107
- Leading Scorer: Grayson Allen (33 pts)
- Knicks Top Performer: Jalen Brunson (28 pts, 7 ast)
- Rebound Battle: Knicks won 46-42 (but couldn't capitalize)
- Turnovers: 14 for New York, which led to 19 Phoenix points
The Suns played a smarter game. They moved the ball, exploited the Knicks' late rotations, and played a "spoiler" role to perfection. It’s the kind of loss that makes Knicks fans scream at their TVs, especially after seeing the team struggle on that recent West Coast trip.
What This Means for the Standings
The Eastern Conference is a meat grinder right now. Every loss at home feels like a missed opportunity to gain ground on teams like Boston or Cleveland. Coach Mike Brown—who has been under some scrutiny for his rotations—kept the starters in late, but the fatigue was visible.
New York is still arguably one of the best offensive teams in the league (ranking 3rd in Offensive Rating), but their defensive identity is slipping. They’re giving up 115 points a night. In the Thibs era, that would have been unthinkable, but this 2026 version of the Knicks is built differently. They want to outscore you. Tonight, they just didn't have the ammunition.
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Why the Knicks Are Struggling Recently
It’s not just tonight. The Knicks have lost three of their last four. Some experts, like those at Doc's Sports, pointed out that New York’s ATS (Against The Spread) record has been shaky at home this season. They’re 21-21 now.
The issue seems to be depth. When Josh Hart or OG Anunoby aren't hitting their transition layups, the half-court offense becomes very "iso-heavy" on Brunson. It's predictable. Phoenix knew it. They dared anyone else to beat them, and nobody really stepped up to the plate.
Looking Ahead to the Next Game
The Knicks don't have much time to lick their wounds. They’re back at the Garden on Monday to face the Dallas Mavericks. That’s a 5:00 PM tip-off, and if they play with the same lack of urgency they showed in the first half tonight, Luka and company will run them out of the building.
If you’re planning on heading to the Garden for the Dallas game, tickets are starting around $261. It’s an expensive habit, being a Knicks fan in 2026.
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Actionable Insights for Knicks Fans:
- Watch the Injury Report: Keep an eye on OG Anunoby’s minutes; he’s looked a bit gapped lately.
- Betting Tip: The Knicks have been hitting the "Under" more frequently when playing at home against Western Conference teams.
- Rotation Watch: See if Mike Brown gives more minutes to the second unit on Monday to combat the starters' fatigue.
The season is long. There are 82 games for a reason. But tonight was a reminder that even at the World’s Most Famous Arena, nothing is guaranteed.
To get ready for Monday’s matchup against Dallas, you should check the morning shootaround reports for any updates on the Knicks' defensive schemes, as they’ll likely be making major adjustments after this Phoenix loss.