Knicks Falter Late Against Suns, Drop Eighth in Last Ten
The New York Knicks continue to find themselves stuck in a rut, and Saturday night in Phoenix was another missed opportunity to claw their way out. Despite showing some fight and hanging around for much of the contest, the Knicks came up short against the Suns, falling 106-99. It’s their eighth loss in the last 10 games, and this one, like several others in that stretch, was defined by self-inflicted wounds.
Fouls, Cold Shooting Doom Knicks Down the Stretch
Let’s start with the fourth quarter, where things truly unraveled. The Knicks had managed to tie the game at 85 early in the final frame, setting the stage for a potential gritty road win-even without key contributors like Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. But what followed was a frustrating mix of stagnant offense and defensive lapses, particularly on the perimeter.
The Suns didn’t exactly light it up in the fourth-shooting just 7-for-20 from the field-but the Knicks couldn’t capitalize. New York committed seven personal fouls in the quarter, repeatedly bailing Phoenix out and giving away free points at the line. Meanwhile, the Knicks’ offense went ice cold, hitting just 1-of-11 from beyond the arc in the final 12 minutes.
That combination-fouling and failing to score-was a recipe for disaster. Even with Phoenix’s stars having quiet nights, role players like Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen stepped up and made timely plays. The Knicks, on the other hand, simply couldn’t find anyone to take control when it mattered most.
Bench Unit Struggles to Contribute
With Brunson and Hart sidelined, the Knicks needed their bench to step up. Instead, it all but disappeared. The second unit managed just 14 points the entire night, and no one off the bench was able to inject life into a game that was crying out for a spark.
Jordan Clarkson, expected to be a scoring punch off the bench, continued his recent struggles. He finished just 2-for-8 from the field for six points in 22 minutes. Rookie guard Tyler Kolek had a particularly rough outing, ending the night with only two points, three turnovers, and a team-worst -17 plus-minus.
The lack of bench production has been a recurring issue over the past month, and it’s a growing concern with the trade deadline approaching. The Knicks have leaned heavily on their starters, but without reliable depth, it’s becoming harder to close out games-especially when injuries pile up.
McBride and Anunoby Shine in Losing Effort
There were bright spots, though, and they came from Miles McBride and OG Anunoby, who once again brought energy and production on both ends of the floor.
McBride tied Karl-Anthony Towns for the team lead in scoring with 23 points, including five made threes. He also added two steals and was the only Knicks starter with a positive plus-minus (+6) among those who played at least 20 minutes. His confidence continues to grow, and he’s showing he can be more than just a defensive specialist.
Anunoby, meanwhile, delivered another well-rounded performance. He finished with 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
His defensive presence was felt throughout the night, helping to steady the team during some chaotic stretches. But even with both players stepping up, it wasn’t enough to overcome the team’s broader issues.
Big Picture
The Knicks are in a tough stretch, and Saturday’s loss was a microcosm of the problems that have plagued them during this skid-lack of bench depth, inconsistent shooting, and untimely fouls. The effort is there, especially from players like McBride and Anunoby, but the margin for error is razor-thin when key players are out.
As the trade deadline looms, the front office may need to take a hard look at this roster. The top-end talent is solid, but the supporting cast hasn’t held up its end of the bargain. If the Knicks want to make a serious push in the second half of the season, reinforcements might be necessary.