The New York Knicks weren’t able to escape with a win in their third straight close game on the West Coast. They lost in OT, 113-111.
- New York Knicks 111 (14-11)
- Phoenix Suns 113 (8-17)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix, AZ
It’s hard to remember when the New York Knicks weren’t playing a close game down the stretch. They won the first two games of their Western Conference road trip against the Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings by a combined nine points. They played with fire but came out on top due to inferior competition.
They weren’t so lucky on Tuesday night in Phoenix. Despite 34 points from Kristaps Porzingis, who got into a memorable scuffle with the Suns’ Marquese Chriss, the Knicks fell short 113-111.
Whoa, KP in a foul mood. Love it. (Still, if this were the 90s, it'd be considered tea at your grandma's.) #Knickshttps://t.co/ZYn2Ui2VVE
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) December 14, 2016
An incredible 19-4 fourth quarter run led by Porzingis and a motley crew lineup of Kyle O’Quinn, Justin Holiday, Ron Baker, and Lance Thomas was ruined with the loss. O’Quinn was huge for the Knicks again with 22 points and a team-high 14 rebounds. Five were offensive.
When Porzingis fouled out with 1:34 left in OT the Knicks were deflated. KP was on fire and carrying the team on an off night from Carmelo Anthony.
Melo was 3-15 and missed the go-ahead jumper with six seconds remaining in overtime. It wasn’t his night.
Don't like this shot by Melo pic.twitter.com/WyOsilKBym
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) December 14, 2016
It wasn’t Jeff Hornacek’s night either in his return to Phoenix just one season after an unceremonious dismissal as head coach.
But the biggest news of the night was Derrick Rose having to leave after just 10 minutes of first quarter action. Rose’s back acted up again and he went to the locker room and didn’t return. Not a good sign for Thursday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.
Former Knick Tyson Chandler took out his frustrations on his old team tonight with 13 points and 23 rebounds.
Suns point guard Eric Bledsoe led the team in scoring (31) and assists (8) and was a perfect 12-12 from the free-throw line.
The #Knicks fall in Phoenix tonight, 113-111 in OT. #NYKvsPHX pic.twitter.com/YyZiE5X0SQ
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
113-110 Suns lead | 5.2 secs OT. #Knicks ball. #NYKvsPHX
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
111-110 Suns lead with 6 secs on the game clock. Phoenix ball. #NYKvsPHX #Knicks
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
Bledsoe hits the jumper to give the Suns back the lead, 109-108. @kporzee has fouled out with 34 points. #Knicks ball. 59.9 4Q. #NYKvsPHX
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
More basketball! We head to overtime in Phoenix. #NYKvsPHX #Knicks @kporzee: 29p@carmeloanthony: 11p@Kyle_OQuinn: 19p / 11r pic.twitter.com/vOb52SnLH7
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
It’s another nail-biter! Locked at 101-101 with 1:46 left in the 4Q. Tune to @MSGNetworks! #NYKvsPHX pic.twitter.com/a46lsMss50
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
REPLAY: The Unicorn taking flight! #NYKvsPHX #Knicks pic.twitter.com/tXisr8ducn
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
That lead? We got it. #Knicks 92 Suns 89. 5:34 4Q.
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
The #Knicks are not going away. Suns lead down to 4 with 8:54 left in the 4Q. #NYKvsPHX@Kyle_OQuinn: 16p / 8r
WATCH on @MSGNetworks! pic.twitter.com/xGF39zKwvs
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
We head to the 4Q. Suns lead the #Knicks 85-73. #NYKvsPHX @kporzee: 20p
@CourtneyLee2211: 14p@JoakimNoah: 8r pic.twitter.com/AtMlKMPXMM— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
.@brandonjennings starting the second half. Rose dealing with back spasms. #Knicks #NYKvsPHX
— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) December 14, 2016
1st half complete in Phoenix. Suns 54 #Knicks 46. #NYKvsPHX@kporzee: 14p@JoakimNoah: 8p / 4r pic.twitter.com/m1iNwruSqF
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
1Q complete here in Phoenix. Suns up 31-25. #NYKvsPHX #Knicks @JoakimNoah: 6p@carmeloanthony: 5p pic.twitter.com/gZaarQ3Jv8
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
REPLAY: @JoakimNoah ⬆️ @kporzee! #NYKvsPHX #Knicks pic.twitter.com/aH4oDWnTnr
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
#Knicks starters:
2️⃣5️⃣ @drose
5️⃣ @CourtneyLee2211
7️⃣ @carmeloanthony
6️⃣ @kporzee
1️⃣3️⃣ @JoakimNoah #NYKvsPHX pic.twitter.com/Jv06p1tu0Q— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016
Moments before tipoff, here’s your preview as the #Knicks seek their 3rd straight W! #NYKvsPHX
[? https://t.co/nTCduzhiGg] pic.twitter.com/TPNT3Pj90C— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) December 14, 2016