While the Phoenix Suns are on a five-game losing streak and without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, the New York Knicks are one of the hottest teams in the league and it was evident on Wednesday night.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Extending their winning streak to four games, the Knicks (9-6) shot 50-for-86 (58.1%) from the field and 19-for-39 (48.7%) from 3, scored 44 points in the first quarter alone and caused enough damage early on to cruise to victory. Jalen Brunson notched 36 points and had 10 assists, Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds and Josh Hart clinched 19 points and 11 rebounds.
As a collective, six of the eight Knicks scored in double-digits, including two familiar faces to Suns fans: Mikal Bridges and Cameron Payne.
In his first appearance back in the Valley as a member of the Knicks, Bridges played the most minutes out of his teammates (40), and contributed with 16 points, five assists and three rebounds. Payne tallied 12 points and three assists.
When the player introductions were announced for New York, the biggest buzz inside Footprint Center was when Bridges’ name was said and both teams’ fans cheered profusely. Bridges was chosen by the Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft and made a lasting impact on the fanbase.
The Villanova product spent almost five seasons in Phoenix before the team traded him, Cameron Johnson and other pieces to the Brooklyn Nets for Durant. Getting out of the era in which the Suns struggled, Bridges provided hope as he averaged 12.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game across 365 games (298 starts) for the Suns.
Payne may be considered a journeyman nowadays with him playing for seven teams in 10 years, but the most impactful time of his career was when he joined Devin Booker and the Suns. He averaged career highs in points (9.8), assists (4.2) and rebounds (2.6) in 174 games (28 starts).
After starting the season 4-5, New York has won five of its past six games as the new pieces of the team are starting to gel. Bridges arrived in “The Big Apple” via a massive trade package to the Nets, Payne signed in free agency and Towns was dealt from the Minnesota Timberwolves for a deal that included Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo flipped the other way.
Returning to where his NBA career all started, Bridges is glad to be back in Phoenix whenever he can and embrace somewhere that means a lot to him.
“It’s just the energy in here. Even when I landed, driving and just seeing the mountains and everything,” Bridges said. “I never really heard of Phoenix until I got drafted. It felt like the most Mikal place ever with just how open it is.”
Video credit: Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
"Just the energy in here. Even when I landed, just driving and seeing the mountains and everything."
Pause.
"The mountains? I'm right?"
Mikal Bridges on his return to Phoenix as he scored 16 points in helping the New York Knicks top the Suns, 138-122, Wednesday night. #Suns pic.twitter.com/OOV1JwOZxr
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 21, 2024
WATCH: Devin Booker reacts to Suns’ 138-122 blowout loss to Knicks
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HEREÂ to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Alec Cipollini covers the Phoenix Mercury, Suns and ASU Athletics for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
