Game Preview: Can the Suns stop the streaking Knicks?

The weather outside is about to turn frightful, and the Suns are far from delightful. Can they stop the Knicks from making it four in a row? 

Who: New York Knicks (8-6) @ Phoenix Suns (9-6)

When: 8:00 PM Arizona Time

Where: The Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Watch: ESPN, Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports

Listen: KMVP 98.7

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Lightning-fast turn of events here in the Valley, as the Phoenix Suns are spiraling down the standings in the Western Conference. Currently sitting in the fifth seed, the Suns need to shake off the bad vibes spreading throughout the fanbase and secure a win against a Knicks team riding a three-game winning streak.

It’s not worth destroying your TV if the Suns end up losing their fifth game in a row tonight, dropping to 1-6 without Kevin Durant. However, with a five-day layoff before their next game on Tuesday, a win tonight would go a long way in easing the minds of many frantic Suns fans.

I’ve been feeling this way since Sunday’s blown lead and loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. You can just sense it—it’s a gut punch to think this team might be trending in the wrong direction again. Don’t tell me not to worry, because I’ll mentally revert to 13 and hit you with a classic talk to the hand.

Devin Booker needs to prove he can carry this team tonight, injuries or not. It’s just the Knicks—how much is that to ask?

Starting Lineups

Injuries

Suns

Kevin Durant — OUT (Calf)

Bradley Beal — OUT (Calf)

Collin Gillespie — OUT (Ankle)

Jusuf Nurkic — DAY-TO-DAY (Ankle)

Knicks

Miles McBride — OUT (Illness)

Precious Achiuwa — OUT (Hamstring)

Kevin McCullar Jr. — OUT (Knee)

Mitchell Robinson — OUT (Ankle)

Jersey Matchup

What to Watch for

KAT

It has been a superstar start for Karl-Anthony Towns, who is averaging 26.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. Shooting an impressive 51% from three and 54% from the field, KAT has been the standout player for the Knicks.

Scoring 46 points against the Chicago Bulls a week ago, he’s proven he can replicate such performances. With the Suns struggling to defend size due to Jusuf Nurkic’s injury, KAT has the opportunity to dominate in the paint while remaining a deadly threat from beyond the arc. And when I say “of course,” do you remember what he did to the Suns during last year’s playoffs, leading to their first-round sweep? I won’t go into it, but we know it was bad.

Well, I do see a bit of the same dilemma for the Suns in tonight’s game—unless rookie Ryan Dunn has something to say about it. Can the young talent rise to the challenge and provide the much-needed size and defensive presence to contain KAT?

I’ll admit it—I’m scared to face KAT tonight. Plays like this show why he’s such a nightmare matchup, and I can easily see the Suns struggling to keep up if he gets rolling.

Knicks Offense

• The Knicks currently rank 6th in points per game with 116.9.
• They are shooting 50% from the field, placing them 2nd in the league.
• From three-point range, they rank 3rd in the league at 39%.
• At the free-throw line, they are shooting 81%, ranking 5th in the league.

Even with Mikal Bridges still struggling offensively—attempting only 0.8 free throws per game and shooting 31% from three—the Knicks are still looking solid and efficient. However, it’s on the defensive side of the ball where the Knicks struggle.

Knicks Defense

• The Knicks rank 28th in steals per game with 6.6.
• They are 28th in the league with 3.7 blocks per game.
• They rank 21st in points off turnovers, averaging 16.4 per game.

The Rookies

It’s up to Oso Ighodaro and Ryan Dunn to turn up the heat once more this game. On Monday night against the Orlando Magic, both rookies started for the first time since 2019 for the Suns—and they played great. Oso posted 12 points and 7 rebounds, but it wasn’t just about the stats. These guys came in and played hard, setting the tone.

The rest of the team needs to feed off that energy if they want a chance against the Knicks tonight. They’ll be in the right place at the right time, but the real question is—will the Suns continue to involve them throughout the game?

Prediction

As much as I want a Suns win, nothing convinces me they can handle this Knicks team right now. If Booker steps up and takes over late, there’s a chance—but I’m picking the Knicks to win it, 118-107.