Knicks hold a players-only meeting in Phoenix. Trey Burke makes his case for a permanent spot in the rotation as the New York Knicks end their seven-game road trip with a victory.
- New York Knicks: 107 (22-28)
- Phoenix Suns: 85 (17-32)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Talking Stick Resort Arena Phoenix, AZ
‘Tis the season for players-only meetings. One week after the Cavs held a meeting to air their grievances, the New York Knicks came together sans coaches after a miserable loss in Denver.
The Knicks desperately needed a silver lining during this road trip after losing to both the Lakers and Nuggets. Both losses featured some of the Knicks’ worst defensive performances of the season.
Enes Kanter got the message and he came out on fire, hitting his first five shots from the field, finishing the first half with 19 points and six rebounds.
The Suns, who played without Tyson Chandler, mirrored a subway turnstyle on defense. Yet, they closed the half out strong, and trailed the Knicks by four at the break.
.@T_HardJR takes flight. pic.twitter.com/h4z83JRPqr
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 27, 2018
In the third quarter, Knicks fans held their collective breaths after Tim Hardaway Jr. took a nasty fall. Devin Booker was called for a flagrant foul on the play. Luckily, Hardaway Jr. did not sustain any major injury and checked back into the game later in the third.
The Suns continued to unravel as Booker earned his second technical foul and was ejected after a brush-up with Kanter. From that point it was the Trey Burke show, as he scored 14 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter.
.@TreyBurke catching ? pic.twitter.com/afbEo0SQ6I
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 27, 2018
The Knicks finished off the Suns with great balance on the offensive end. Kanter was the top scorer with 20 points, Kristaps Porzingis had a quiet 19 points, and Hardaway Jr. added 15 points. For the Suns, TJ Warren lead the way with 20 points and four rebounds.
The Knicks return home next Tuesday to face off against Brooklyn, as they embark on seven of nine straight games against teams with a records over .500.
Closing out the road trip with a W. pic.twitter.com/XO4FUsuKbK
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 27, 2018
