NEW YORK, NY — The New York Knicks fought until the final horn but couldn’t overcome turnovers and a disastrous third quarter, falling 112–107 to the Phoenix Suns on Friday night at the Footprint Center.
Despite holding Phoenix to just 18 points in the fourth quarter, New York committed 18 turnovers that led to 22 Suns points, ultimately proving too costly in the five-point loss. The defeat marked the Knicks’ fifth loss in six games and was not the start head coach Mike Brown and his team were looking for to open their four-game West Coast trip.
The Knicks fell to the Suns Friday night in Phoenix by a final score of 112-117 and have now dropped five of their last six games – Image Credit: NBA
“We fought in the fourth,” Brown said. “Holding them to 18 was great, but when you have 18 turnovers for 22 points compared to their 10 for 11, on the road that’s tough to overcome. We have to do this for 48 minutes.”
Jalen Brunson led New York with 27 points, knocking down five three-pointers, but struggled late when the Knicks were in desperate need of his usual fourth-quarter heroics, shooting 1-for-6 from the field in that final frame. Miles McBride continued to shine in the starting lineup, finishing with 17 points and three steals while providing energy on both ends of the floor.
Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, but was limited offensively late, attempting just one shot in the fourth quarter after finding rhythm earlier.
The Knicks trailed by as many as 12 in the third quarter as Phoenix seized control behind Devin Booker, who scored 31 points and dished out eight assists. Dillon Brooks added 27 points, including five three-pointers, as Phoenix capitalized on New York’s defensive lapses and ballhandling issues.
New York’s problems were compounded by the absence of Josh Hart and Landry Shamet, both sidelined with injuries. Brown acknowledged their importance, particularly against physical teams.
“That’s an area where we miss Josh and Landry,” he said. “They help with ballhandling and physicality.”
Still, there were encouraging signs. The Knicks out-rebounded Phoenix 50–37, Mitchell Robinson grabbed 14 boards, and OG Anunoby provided a late push with clutch shooting and defense.
“Our guys competed,” Brown said of the encouraging signs. “We have to stay connected and keep building. We’ll get it figured out.”
The Knicks (24–14) continue their road trip Sunday in Portland, where they’ll finally benefit from two consecutive days off a much needed reset after a grueling stretch dating back to the NBA Cup.
Friday night’s matchup in Phoenix also carried deeper significance beyond the box score, featuring a battle of Latino excellence between two of the NBA’s premier stars. Karl-Anthony Towns and Devin Booker both sharing Latino heritage from their mothers as Towns is Dominican and Booker is Mexican.
The two stars shared the court in a moment that reflected the growing Latino presence in the league. The two were college teammates at Kentucky, where they bonded not only as players but through shared culture and heritage.
The bond between Mexican-American Devin Booker and Dominican-American Karl-Anthony Towns dates back to their time together at Kentucky University where they were coached by John Calipari – Image Credit: NBA
Towns has long spoken openly about the importance of his Dominican roots, often crediting his mother’s homeland for shaping who he is on and off the court. Representing the Dominican Republic, he has said it connects him to his late mother and allows him to give back while inspiring future generations. Playing in New York—home to one of the largest Dominican communities in the world—has been a “full-circle moment” for Towns, giving him the opportunity to represent that community on the game’s biggest stage.
Booker has echoed similar sentiments about his own journey. “When I was drafted by Phoenix, I finally got to see the Hispanic culture around me for the first time in my life,” Booker once said of his Mexican-American roots. That connection deepened his understanding of his identity and the responsibility that comes with it, particularly for young Latino fans who see themselves reflected in his success.
For both players, Friday night was not just another game, it was a reminder of how far representation in basketball has come, and how powerful it can be for the next generation watching.
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