Suns Outlast Knicks at the Garden Behind Booker’s Return and Balanced Attack
NEW YORK - The Phoenix Suns needed a response. After dropping two straight to open their six-game road trip, they walked into Madison Square Garden on Saturday night and delivered, outlasting the New York Knicks 106-99 in a gritty, back-and-forth battle that came down to who could execute late.
Devin Booker, back from an ankle injury, didn’t waste time reminding everyone who he is. He led the Suns in scoring and provided the kind of shot-making and poise Phoenix has sorely missed in recent outings.
But this wasn’t just a one-man show. Six Suns finished in double figures, and that kind of depth made the difference in a game that saw wild momentum swings on both sides.
Even with Dillon Brooks struggling through one of his worst shooting performances of the season, Phoenix found a way - a testament to their collective effort and resilience.
First Half: Runs, Responses, and a Tight Battle
The Knicks came out firing. Karl-Anthony Towns set the tone early, helping New York jump out to a 13-6 lead and forcing a quick timeout from Suns interim head coach Jordan Ott.
The early pace suggested the Knicks might run away with it, but both teams cooled off significantly over the next several minutes. By the end of the first quarter, it was 27-19 Knicks, and Phoenix had only four players on the scoreboard.
There was a silver lining early for Booker, who passed a franchise legend on the NBA’s all-time scoring list during the opening frame - a milestone that quietly underscored his long-term impact in Phoenix.
The second quarter brought a shift. Phoenix opened the frame on a 17-4 run, flipping the game on its head and grabbing their first lead since the opening minutes. The ball movement improved, the offense looked more fluid, and suddenly the Suns were dictating pace.
But the Knicks weren’t going away. Their three-point shooting kept them in it - they hit 63% of their first 13 attempts from deep, a blistering pace that helped them retake the lead before halftime.
At the break, it was 56-55 Knicks. The numbers were nearly identical on both sides: Phoenix shot 43.9% from the field and 39.1% from three, while New York hit at a 42.9% clip overall and 42.1% from deep. It was a dead-even game in every sense.
Second Half: Momentum Swings and a Clutch Finish
The third quarter was a rollercoaster. Phoenix opened with a 10-3 run to go up by six, only to watch the Knicks rip off a 16-0 run of their own, flipping the Garden into a frenzy and taking a 10-point lead. It felt like the game might slip away right then and there.
But the Suns didn’t blink.
They closed the third on a 13-0 run, capped by a vintage Booker and-one with 0.3 seconds left in the quarter. Jordan Goodwin gave the Suns a crucial lift during that stretch, scoring five quick points and bringing energy on both ends.
In the fourth, things slowed down. The pace dipped, possessions became more deliberate, and every shot felt heavier. Collin Gillespie stepped up in a big way, controlling the offense and knocking down timely buckets to keep Phoenix steady.
It was a stark contrast to the Suns’ late-game struggles earlier in the week against Detroit and Miami. This time, they closed with purpose.
Relying on their starters and a strong shift from Grayson Allen, Phoenix kept the Knicks at bay down the stretch. New York made a late push to trim the lead to five, but the Suns never lost control.
What It Means
With the win, Phoenix improves to 25-17 and snaps a two-game skid. More importantly, they showed they can win a close game on the road against a tough Eastern Conference opponent - something they’ll need to do repeatedly on this trip.
Booker’s return changes the complexion of this team, but Saturday night was about more than just his scoring. The Suns defended, shared the ball, and leaned on their depth - a formula that travels well in the NBA.
Next up: another Eastern Conference test as the road trip continues. But for now, Phoenix can exhale. They needed this one - and they earned it.