Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks reacts after making a 3-pointer in the game against the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, December 15, 2023. /CFP
The New York Knicks beat the Phoenix Suns 139-122 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday, winning the second game of their five-game road trip.
The Suns held the ceremony to induct Shawn Marion into their Ring of Honor during the halftime break of the game. Marion played over eight seasons for the team between 1999 and 2008, averaging 18.4 points, 1.9 steals and 1.4 blocks per game as a four-time All-Star and a two-time All-NBA Third Team selection. He was a first-class defender and fast break scorer in his prime.
However, Jalen Brunson made himself the most conspicuous player at the Suns' home court. He made all nine triple attempts to score career-high 50 points in addition to six rebounds, nine assists and five assists. He shot 12-for-12 from the field in the third and the fourth quarters, setting the best record of going 100 percent in field goals (FGs) during one half of the game.
Jalen Brunson (#11) of the New York Knicks shoots in the game against the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, December 15, 2023. /CFP
Brunson also became the first Knick to get at least 40 points, five assists and five steals since Walt Frazier in 1973, the third player in league history to knock down nine triples without a miss after Ben Gordon and Latrell Sprewell, the fourth NBA player to drop at least 50 points, five assists and five steals after Rick Barry, Michael Jordan and Anthony Davis, and the first one in league history to get 50 points while shooting 100 percent from downtown.
Brunson's offensive dominance aside, he also did an excellent job of the vanguard of the Knicks' defensive aggression with five steals. Both sides committed 11 turnovers on Friday night, but the Knicks had more steals (9-4), which gave them more fast break opportunities for easy buckets. They led 11-7 on that front.
This was the second game the Suns' "Big Three," Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, played together, but Beal exited the contest after four minutes and 32 seconds into the first quarter. He sprained his right ankle while making a 3-pointer. Though he stood up by himself and made the free throw that he earned, the Suns had him back to the locker room and didn't play him again in Friday's game.
Bradley Beal of the Phoenix Suns lies on the floor after spraining his right ankle in the game against the New York Knicks at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona, December 15, 2023. /CFP
The three have played no more than 23 minutes in only two games since Beal was traded to the Suns in June. Each of them went through injuries at different times and didn't have enough time to build chemistry. As a result, the Suns have already used more than 10 different starting lineups this season.
Durant and Booker combined to score 57 points and 15 assists in Friday's game. Neither performed well in the fourth quarter as the Knicks paid most of their defensive attention to the two in this period. The rest of the team failed to stand out and share their burden. Jusuf Nurkic and Grayson Allen had only two points in total in the final quarter.
Devin Vassell (#24) of the San Antonio Spurs drives toward the rim in the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, December 15, 2023. /CFP
Other games on Friday (away teams come first):
Los Angeles Lakers 115-129 San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs ended their embarrassing record 18-game losing streak after seven of their players reached double-digit points at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. Devin Vassell made 12 of his 19 FG attempts to get court-high 36 points. Victor Wembanyama contributed a double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds plus five assists, two steals and two blocks.
The Lakers had Anthony Davis sit on Friday's game and then found that none of the rest of their big men could fill in his position. Both Jaxson Hayes and Christian Wood were defensive deadweights that were targeted by the opponents. LeBron James didn't have the hottest shooting touch as he missed seven of his nine jumpers despite the double-double of 23 points and 14 assists he had.
Dillon Brooks (#9) of the Houston Rockets penetrates in the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, December 15, 2023. /CFP
Houston Rockets 103-96 Memphis Grizzlies
The Rockets achieved their second victory on the road this season after six of their players scored double-digit points at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. Dillon Brooks went 10-for-20 from the field to get team-high 26 points against the team that he had played six seasons for. His side again displayed remarkable energy, especially on the defensive end, with 10 steals and 10 blocks.
The Grizzlies suffered their fourth consecutive and the 18th loss of the season. They are currently in the 14th place in the Western Conference and in the middle of a tough fixture that includes meeting the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Clippers on the road. The good news for them is that their No. 1 star, Ja Morant will finish his 25-game suspension on December 19.
New Orleans Pelicans 112-107 Charlotte Hornets
Detroit Pistons 92-124 Philadelphia 76ers
Indiana Pacers 123-137 Washington Wizards
Orlando Magic 111-128 Boston Celtics
Atlanta Hawks 125-104 Toronto Raptors