PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns’ postseason hopes are circling the drain after a sixth consecutive loss, falling 112-98 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite outscoring the Knicks 26-17 in the fourth quarter, the Suns’ late push wasn’t nearly enough to overcome what’s becoming an all-too-familiar deficit. Phoenix now sits at 35-43 with only four games remaining — two games back from the Sacramento Kings for the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.
Devin Booker once again played the part of the lone warrior, tallying 40 points on 16-of-29 shooting along with three rebounds and three assists. Bradley Beal followed with 16 points on 8-of-19 shooting, bouncing back from a brutal 1-point performance in his last outing. Grayson Allen added 15 points and six rebounds.
But it was OG Anunoby who stole the spotlight in New York (50-28). With Jalen Brunson returning from injury and held to just 15 points, Anunoby erupted for 32 points on 13-of-17 shooting, including 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. Karl-Anthony Towns added 19 and Mikal Bridges dropped 22 against his former team.
Third-Quarter Collapse: Anunoby Ignites While Booker Battles
The Suns unraveled in the third, getting outscored 34-27 and watching a manageable halftime deficit balloon into a 17-point hole. Anunoby torched Phoenix for 19 points in the quarter alone, emerging as the game’s defining scorer.
Booker, who had been Phoenix’s sole offensive pulse all night, took an elbow to the face midway through the frame but stayed in the game and pushed through with 14 third-quarter points. Beal finally made his first field goal after starting 0-for-7, though his impact remained limited.
Frustration boiled over when Booker was hit with a technical foul after arguing with the officials — emblematic of a team watching its season slip away.
Apr 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) is defended by Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Second-Quarter Slide: Offensive Stalls, Defensive Lapses
After a scrappy first quarter, the Suns faltered before halftime. The Knicks outscored Phoenix 26-20 in the second quarter, riding an 8-0 run to grab a 10-point lead at the break, 53-43.
Beal sat most of the quarter after missing three consecutive shots. At halftime, the Suns had only 18 made field goals — nine of them coming from Booker, who had 20 first-half points. Allen chipped in 10, but Phoenix failed to capitalize on second-chance opportunities and forced turnovers.
On the Knicks’ side, Towns and Bridges carried the offense with a combined 27 first-half points, while New York held Phoenix to 36% shooting through two quarters.
Apr 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) dribbles as New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) is screened by Phoenix Suns center Nick Richards (2) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
First Quarter: Fast Hands, Cold Hands
Phoenix opened the game with defensive intensity, notching five first-quarter steals — three from Collin Gillespie and two from Beal — but failed to convert them into meaningful points, scoring just four points off New York’s seven turnovers.
Booker started hot, scoring 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting to keep the Suns within striking distance. But the Knicks’ sharp shooting set the tone early, finishing the quarter at 59% from the field compared to Phoenix’s 36%.
Anunoby led the Knicks with 9 points in the frame, while Miles McBride contributed 6 points off the bench in just three minutes of action.
Apr 6, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen (8) dribbles against New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) and guard Landry Shamet (44) during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Injury Report
Kevin Durant missed his third straight game with a left ankle sprain and remains the only active injury for Phoenix. His absence continues to leave a glaring hole in the Suns’ offense and defense, forcing Booker to shoulder a disproportionate load.
For New York, Jalen Brunson returned after a 15-game absence with a right ankle sprain. Though still finding his rhythm, he contributed 15 points — 8 of them from the free-throw line. Miles McBride played limited minutes after being listed as questionable, finishing with 8 points. Cameron Payne saw time off the bench, while Ariel Hukporti remained sidelined with a knee injury.
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Reporter Reyna Stanley covers the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on X @rey_stanley776.
