PHOENIX — There’s one thing about this area for Jalen Brunson.
A yr after he dropped his first 50-bomb in Phoenix, the Knicks level guard pulled off his finest efficiency of the younger season with 36 factors and 10 assists to bury the Suns in a 138-122 Wednesday cruise.
Brunson shot 12-for-21, together with 7 of 11 from 3, and was joined within the effectivity get together by Karl-Anthony Cities (34 factors, 10 boards, 12 of 19 capturing).
Knicks’ 138-122 win over the Suns on Nov. 20, 2024. NBAE through Getty Pictures
The streaking Knicks (9-6), an rising powerhouse on offense, gained their fourth consecutive.
In three video games at Footprint Area as a Knick, Brunson has averaged 37.7 factors.
He saved the sport ball of his 50-point explosion from final season in Phoenix, which Brunson treasures greater than the 61-point gem in San Antonio a couple of months later.
“That one doesn’t count,” Brunson stated, “we lost.”
The Knicks actually didn’t lose Wednesday. The truth is, they by no means trailed in opposition to the shorthanded Suns (9-7).
Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, two of the Phoenix Huge 3, had been each out with harm.
Ighodaro through the Knicks’ win over the Suns. Getty Pictures
The Suns are very beatable with out Durant (1-6), who has a calf harm and no return timetable.
Phoenix had neither protection nor assist for Devin Booker on Wednesday.
The Knicks (9-6) had been lacking necessary bench gamers however have prevented the devastating harm bug that’s plagued the NBA to start out this marketing campaign.
Tom Thibodeau, a spokesman in opposition to load administration, stated the key to well being is to be in form.
“The narratives could be a million different ways,” the Knicks coach stated. “I feel while you actually dig deep into it, you see that accidents have all the time been part of the sport. When you’re taking part in skilled sports activities, principally the one means you may forestall an harm or assure an harm gained’t occur is don’t take part, don’t follow, don’t play, don’t do something. You’ll by no means get harm.
“But if you’re out there, that’s why there’s a value of being in great shape all the time. So, you have to do all the things you can to prepare yourself to endure a long season. I think when you look at the players that have been durable, it’s usually the ones that are in unbelievable shape, who stay in shape year-round and prepare themselves for what they’re going to go through.”
The primary quarter was a Knicks offensive clinic. It set the tone for the blowout.
The Knicks scored 44 factors, dished out 14 assists and shot 18-for-23, together with 8-for-11 from past the arc.
Brunson was the catalyst with 11 factors and 6 assists on good capturing in that opening interval.
The lead rose to 18 at halftime.
The Suns, devoid of firepower exterior of Booker (33 factors, 38 minutes), by no means responded.
The Knicks shot 58 % total and 49 % on treys.
Josh Hart bulled his solution to 19 factors and 11 rebounds.
Each starter scored a minimum of 14 factors, reiterating the stability that has helped carry the group by the opening 15 video games.
It was a powerful begin to a Western Convention journey with stops upcoming in Utah, Denver and Dallas.
Brunson once more dealt with his enterprise in Phoenix.
