Suns allow season-high 44 first-quarter points as defense falters in loss to Knicks

The Phoenix Suns were on a four-game skid entering Wednesday’s game against the New York Knicks, and their first half performance just about made it clear that streak would extend to five.

Playing without Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal, Phoenix allowed a season-high 44 points to the Knicks in the first quarter, managing to put up just 28 in response and putting the Suns at an early disadvantage. They ultimately lost 138-122.

The Knicks started 5-for-5, with four of those baskets being 3s. Former Suns forward Mikal Bridges had a solid first half for the Knicks, starting 5-for-8 but ultimately cooling off to finish 7-for-14. Teammate and former Suns guard Cameron Payne scored 12 points.

Mikal Bridges: Crafty pic.twitter.com/uMPpApnhHg

— Shane Young (@YoungNBA) November 21, 2024

The Suns shot 48.9%and 38% from beyond the arc. The Knicks on the other hand? 58.1% and 48.7%. New York also made 19 of 21 free throws (90.5%).

Four Knicks players — Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson — all scored north of 10 points in the first half. Towns (34) and Brunson (36) finished north of 30.

Devin Booker was the lone Suns player to score more than 10 first-half points. He finished the game with 33 points.

The Suns next take on the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.