Knicks fall at Garden 110-118 to Suns, end 9 game winning streak

Derrick Rose scored a team-high 22 points off the bench, collecting 6 rebounds and swishing 6 assists but the Knicks fell for the first time after nine straight wins, 110-118 to the leading team in the NBA, the Phoenix Suns.

“They have great players and made all the right decisions in the end. We were close but not close enough. It hurts for sure losing a close game like that but we can take lessons and learn from our mistakes.”

– Derrick Rose

The Knicks never trailed in the first three quarters and led by as many as 15 points in the first half but fell short in the final act when the Suns simply shot the three ball better. The dagger was delivered by Chris Paul.

With under a minute on the clock, following a 23 foot three point jumper by Julius Randle that had the Knicks cut the lead 110-113, Paul made a two point jumper that gave the Suns a five point lead. Reggie Bullock then turned the ball over with a bad pass and with 14.5 seconds to go, Paul hit a three pointer that put the game in the books.

“It’s over, win the next one.”

– Julius Randle

Randle scored 18 points while Bullock and RJ Barrett added 17 buckets each. Immanuel Quickley had 11.

The Suns were led by Devin Booker’s 33 points, Mikal Bridges scored 21 and Chros Paul added 20.

New York continues to hold on the fourth seed in the east and share the same record as the Atlanta Hawks, both teams being 6 games over .500.

Up-next:

The Knicks (34-28) will host the Chicago Bulls (26-35) on Wednesday from 7:30 pm before embarking on a six game road trip that includes match-ups against Denver, Phoenix and both LA teams.