On Wednesday night, the New York Knicks picked up a 138-122 win over the Phoenix Suns, extending their winning streak to four games.
Jalen Brunson And Karl-Anthony Towns Shine On Knicks Offense
The Knicks dominated from the start, never trailed throughout the game and showed great offensive potency, especially in the first half. Jalen Brunson led the offense with 36 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 34 points.
The performance of the starting lineup was outstanding, as all five starters scored in double figures, showcasing a balanced offensive attack. Brunson, who hit a three-pointer on the first possession of the game, set the tone from the start and continued to guide the Knicks offense throughout the night.
Josh Hart continued his great season by delivering an outstanding all-around performance against the Phoenix Suns. Hart was perhaps the biggest question mark for the New York Knicks coming into the season, but he is currently in the midst of one of his best campaigns and it showed once again in this matchup. \
He recorded another double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing a team-high 11 rebounds.
In addition, Hart added six assists and a team-high three steals and hit two three-pointers. It was a complete performance from Hart, who continues to show why he is such a valuable and unique player for the Knicks with his ability to contribute in several areas of the game.
With this performance, Hart has recorded at least a double-double in six of his 15 games played this season.
Knicks Dominate From the Start With a Sweeping First Quarter
In the first quarter, the Knicks showed an impressive shooting performance, making 78.3% of their shots, including 72.7% from the three-point line, making it clear that they were in command.
They made their first eight shots, four of which were three-pointers, and finished the quarter with a commanding 44-28 lead. By halftime, the Knicks had extended their lead to 76-58, with Brunson leading the charge, having scored 23 points on 8-of-9 shooting, including four three-pointers.
The Suns struggled to contain the Knicks' offense, especially in transition, and failed to defend the three-point line, allowing New York to build a comfortable lead.
The Suns made a small push in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 88-77, but the Knicks quickly responded with an 11-2 run to restore their control.
Despite the efforts of Devin Booker, who led Phoenix with 33 points (12-of-23 shooting), and Jusuf Nurkic, who added 14 points and 12 rebounds, the Suns could not overcome their defensive woes.
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Key Absences
The team was without key players, including Kevin Durant, who has missed seven consecutive games due to a left calf strain, and Bradley Beal, who was absent for the fifth consecutive game with a left calf strain.
These absences have left the Suns with a depleted team, and their recent struggles, which now include a streak of five consecutive losses, reflect both the impact of injuries and lingering defensive problems.
The Suns struggled to match the Knicks' offensive efficiency, especially on counterattacks, and could not contest shots effectively.
The New York Knicks will travel to Utah to take on the Jazz on Saturday, hoping to extend their winning streak.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns will host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, hoping to get back on track after their recent relegation and turn things around in front of their home fans.
