Suns Catch a Break as Knicks Rule Out Brunson, Hart Ahead of MSG Matchup
The Phoenix Suns are hitting the midway point of the season with plenty still to prove - and a golden opportunity in front of them.
Despite being in the middle of a grueling six-game road trip through the Eastern Conference and coming off back-to-back losses, the Suns remain firmly in the playoff conversation. The latest bump came in Detroit, where they fell short without Devin Booker in the lineup. But tonight in New York, the script may flip - and fast.
Phoenix gets a timely break as the Knicks will be without two of their most important players: Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart. Brunson, the engine of New York’s offense and the heartbeat of their crunch-time identity, is sidelined with a right ankle sprain. Hart, the Knicks’ do-it-all wing and relentless energy guy, is also out with ankle soreness.
That’s no small development. The Knicks rely heavily on Brunson’s shot creation and floor leadership, especially in tight games.
Without him, the offense shifts dramatically - and not necessarily for the better. Hart’s absence, meanwhile, takes away one of the few players in the league who can match Phoenix’s physicality and tempo possession after possession.
For the Suns, this is a chance to capitalize - but they’re not at full strength either. Devin Booker remains questionable after tweaking his ankle against the Heat.
He did return in that game and nearly willed Phoenix to a comeback win, but the team is clearly being cautious with their star guard. Jalen Green is also out, which puts even more pressure on the supporting cast to step up.
Still, the Suns have shown all season that they can hang with - and beat - top-tier competition, even when shorthanded. If anything, they’ve made a habit of rising to the moment. And while New York still has firepower in Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, and OG Anunoby, Phoenix has the defensive tools to make life difficult for that trio.
This game also serves as a bit of a showcase. With trade chatter starting to pick up league-wide, this could be a timely spotlight for Nick Richards, who continues to be a name to watch. If the Suns are considering moving him - or if the Knicks are interested - there’s no better stage than Madison Square Garden.
After tonight, the Suns head to Brooklyn to face the Nets in what looks like a slightly more favorable matchup. But if Phoenix wants to stay in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, they can’t afford to look past anyone - especially not a Knicks team that, even without Brunson and Hart, still has the talent to make things interesting.
The opportunity is there. Now it’s up to the Suns to seize it.