Leandro Barbosa breaks through with big game as Phoenix Suns nearly steal one in New York

Jan 14, 2014, 6:46 AM | Updated: 6:47 am

Brazilian-born Leandro Barbosa had yet to make much of an impact through his first three games after signing a 10-day contract with the Phoenix Suns, but that all changed Monday night in New York.

The 31-year-old combo guard got a burst of energy in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks, scoring 14 of the team’s 24 points, helping the Suns erase a seven-point deficit and force overtime.

The Suns eventually fell 98-96 at the end of the extra period, but they wouldn’t have made it that far without Barbosa’s spectacular fourth quarter. Looking like his old self, he seemed to be able to get the the rim at will as the game wound down in regulation. He made three driving layups in the period, and even drew two fouls, converting those into four free throws — including two that tied the game and sent it into overtime.

The 11-year veteran, who spent his first seven seasons in Phoenix, finished with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting to go with three rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes of action.

With emerging star point guard Eric Bledsoe out at least four-to-six weeks after getting surgery on a torn meniscus in his knee, Barbosa just made his best case to get signed to another 10-day contract — or possibly for the rest of the season.

Before putting on a Suns jersey last Wednesday against Minnesota, the 2003 first round draft pick hadn’t stepped foot on an NBA court since tearing his ACL in February 2013 while with the Boston Celtics. He was playing professional ball in Brazil until Phoenix gave him a call and signed him to a short-term contract.

New York Knicks' Kenyon Martin (3) protects the ball from Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee (22) and Gerald Green (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots a 3-point basket over Phoenix Suns' Gerald Green (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' J.R. Smith (8) drives past Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris (11) is defended by New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa (10), of Brazil, drives past New York Knicks' Andrea Bargnani (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' J.R. Smith (8) drives past Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa (10), of Brazil, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Raymond Felton (2) drives past Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony (7) drives past Phoenix Suns' Gerald Green (14) and Channing Frye (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' J.R. Smith (8) drives past Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee (22) shoots over New York Knicks' Andrea Bargnani (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony (7) drives past Phoenix Suns' Gerald Green (14) and Channing Frye (8) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Raymond Felton (2) shoots over Phoenix Suns' Miles Plumlee (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots a 3-point basket over Phoenix Suns' Gerald Green (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic (1) shoots over New York Knicks' Andrea Bargnani (77) during the overtime period of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Kenyon Martin (3) defends Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic (1) during the overtime period of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Kenyon Martin (3) dunks the ball in front of Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic (1) and Marcus Morris (15) during the overtime period of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony (7) is defended by Phoenix Suns' P.J. Tucker (17) during the overtime period of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Phoenix Suns head coach Jeff Hornacek calls out to his team during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa (10) drives past New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Kenyon Martin, left, and teammate Raymond Felton, right, celebrate with Carmelo Anthony, after Felton hit a 3-point basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Kenyon Martin (3) defends Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa (10) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York.Martin was called for a foul on the play. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire (1) and Phoenix Suns' P.J. Tucker (17) fight for control of the ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Phoenix Suns' Leandro Barbosa, right, of Brazil, drives past New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire (1) to score during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) New York Knicks' Kenyon Martin (3) moves to block a shot by Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in New York. The Knicks won the game 98-96. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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