The Phoenix Suns (13-11) and New York Knicks (13-11) meet tonight for the second and final time this season. The Suns will also hold a postgame ceremony to induct Shawn Marion into the team’s Ring of honor. This meeting comes after Devin Booker’s improbable game-winner at Madison Square Garden last month. The Suns will be their healthiest yet, with the Big 3 playing in their second-ever game together and Grayson Allen returning. However, Josh Okogie (hip) and Eric Gordon (leg) will miss their second-straight game. The Knicks will be without Mitchell Robinson (ankle). Phoenix enters tonight having lost five of its last seven, while New York has dropped three straight games.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Local Game Information
Start Time: 8 p.m. MST
Location:Â Footprint Center
TV Channel: ESPN, 3TV/AZ Family
Radio:Â Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, La Mejor 106.5 FM
Stream:Â Suns Live (click for more info)
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 15, 2023
Betting Odds
Line: PHX -1.5
O/U:Â 231.5
Injury Report
Phoenix Suns: Grayson Allen (right groin strain) AVAILABLE | Eric Gordon (right lower leg soreness) OUT | Josh Okogie (right hip injury) OUTÂ | Nassir Little (concussion protocol) AVAILABLE | Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery) OUT
New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson (left ankle surgery) OUT
Starters (Projected)
Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Grayson Allen, Kevin Durant, Jusuf Nurkić
New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, R.J. Barrett, Julius Randle, Jericho Sims
Last Time Out
The Brooklyn Nets (13-10) defeated the Phoenix Suns (13-11) 116-112 Wednesday night in the return of Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson. The night that Suns’ fans had been waiting for since June finally game to fruition 24 games in, as Phoenix’s Big 3 of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal played their first game together. However, it was not the night any fan hoped for, as the trio could not help the Suns, who were still missing a lot of key role players, pull off the victory over the Nets. The Suns tarted off the game really slow, connecting on onky one of their first 11 threes, but did come back in the third. They could not hold onto the lead in the fourth quarter. The star trio scored or assisted on 97 of the team’s 112 points. Booker led the way with 34 points and 12 assists, while Durant had 27 and six rebounds. Beal finished with 14 points and four assists. Jusuf Nurkić had an ultra-impressive 22 rebounds to go along with 15 points in the loss.
The New York Knicks (13-10) lost their third-straight game Wednesday night, falling 117-113 to the Utah Jazz (8-16). Julius Randle finished the night with 32 points and 12 rebounds, but 30 of his points came before the fourth quarter. Jalen Brunson added 23 points, while Donte DiVincenzo chipped in 20 for New York. The Jazz were up 106-89 late, but a huge Knicks run made it 115-112, but they could not pull it off in the end. The Knicks really struggled from deep, shooting 9-for-39 (23%) during this game. This was their third game of a seven-game road trip.
Flashback: Last Meeting (Nov. 26, 2023)
Devin Booker stuns Madison Square Garden with last-second three-pointer
Team Matchup Notes
Here are some stats, notes and everything else to know about the Suns and Knicks before their second matchup of the season (via Suns)
Each team’s stats (via Suns):
Five Keys to Game for Suns
- Get in rhythm early
- Utilize Grayson Allen being back
- Play much better defense
- Attack rim with Robinson out
- Key in on Jalen Brunson
Practice Footage/ Interviews
Nassir Little Talks Returning from Orbital Fracture/Concussion, Wearing Mask before Suns Play Knicks
Last Game: Video Recap and Pressers
Devin Booker Explains What Went Wrong for Suns in Big 3 Debut, Welcoming Back Twins to the Valley
Kevin Durant Talks Big 3 Losing in Debut vs. Nets, Playing against Former Team
Frank Vogel Sums up Suns’ 116-112 Loss to Brooklyn Nets in Debut of Team’s Big 3
Mikal Bridges Discusses Returning to Phoenix and Helping Nets Spoil Suns Big 3 Debut
Cam Johnson Speaks on Coming Back to Phoenix, Helping Nets Defeat Suns in Phoenix’s Big 3 Debut
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
