Game ID: 22401140
Phoenix Suns @ New York Knicks
Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 7:00 PM ET
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NYK 27 26 34 25 112PHX 23 20 27 28 98
NYK vs PHX ScoutingNYK vs PHX Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
NYK availability going into 3/30 · 1 day's restOUT Brunson missed 11 since 3/07, out tonight
OUT McBride missed 4 since 3/22, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 5 since 3/20, out tonight
BACK Wright back 3/25 after 2, 15 min since (110% of 14)
NEW Payne 14 to 23 min over the last 4
NYK availability going into 4/01 · 1 day's restOUT Brunson missed 12 since 3/07, out tonight
OUT McBride missed 5 since 3/22, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 6 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Payne missed 2 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Wright back 3/25 after 2, 20 min since (145% of 14)
NYK availability going into 4/02 · back-to-backOUT Brunson missed 13 since 3/07, out tonight
OUT McBride missed 6 since 3/22, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 7 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Payne missed 3 since 3/28, out tonight
BACK Wright back 3/25 after 2, 23 min since (164% of 14)
NEW Shamet 14 to 22 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 4/05 · 2 days' restOUT Brunson missed 14 since 3/07, out tonight
OUT McBride missed 7 since 3/22, out tonight
OUT Tucker missed 8 since 3/20, out tonight
OUT Payne missed 4 since 3/28, returns tonight: 22 min (155% of 14)
NEW Wright 14 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Shamet 14 to 24 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 4/06 · back-to-backOUT Brunson missed 15 since 3/07, returns tonight: 34 min (96% of 36)
OUT McBride missed 8 since 3/22, returns tonight: 16 min (67% of 24)
OUT Robinson missed 2 since 4/02, returns tonight: 13 min (67% of 19)
OUT Tucker missed 9 since 3/20, out tonight
BACK Payne back 4/05 after 4, 22 min since (155% of 14)
NEW Wright 14 to 32 min over the last 5
NEW Shamet 14 to 26 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 4/08 · 1 day's restOUT Tucker missed 10 since 3/20, out tonight
BACK Brunson back 4/06 after 15, 34 min since (96% of 36)
BACK McBride back 4/06 after 8, 16 min since (67% of 24)
BACK Robinson back 4/06 after 2, 13 min since (67% of 19)
BACK Payne back 4/05 after 4, 18 min since (126% of 14)
NEW Wright 14 to 32 min over the last 4
NEW Shamet 14 to 25 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 4/10 · 1 day's restOUT Achiuwa missed 2 since 4/06, returns tonight: 40 min (215% of 18)
OUT Tucker missed 11 since 3/20, returns tonight: 27 min (172% of 16)
OUT Wright missed 2 since 4/06, returns tonight: 13 min (94% of 14)
BACK Brunson back 4/06 after 15, 36 min since (102% of 36)
BACK McBride back 4/06 after 8, 18 min since (77% of 24)
BACK Robinson back 4/06 after 2, 14 min since (75% of 19)
BACK Payne back 4/05 after 4, 16 min since (119% of 14)
NEW Shamet 14 to 22 min over the last 5
NYK availability going into 4/11 · back-to-backBACK Brunson back 4/06 after 15, 34 min since (95% of 36)
BACK McBride back 4/06 after 8, 25 min since (106% of 24)
BACK Robinson back 4/06 after 2, 14 min since (75% of 19)
BACK Achiuwa back 4/10 after 2, 40 min since (215% of 18)
BACK Tucker back 4/10 after 11, 27 min since (172% of 16)
BACK Payne back 4/05 after 4, 16 min since (115% of 14)
BACK Wright back 4/10 after 2, 13 min since (94% of 14)
NYK availability going into 4/13 · 1 day's restBACK Brunson back 4/06 after 15, 35 min since (96% of 36)
BACK McBride back 4/06 after 8, 23 min since (98% of 24)
BACK Robinson back 4/06 after 2, 20 min since (108% of 19)
BACK Achiuwa back 4/10 after 2, 27 min since (148% of 18)
BACK Tucker back 4/10 after 11, 27 min since (172% of 16)
BACK Payne back 4/05 after 4, 15 min since (109% of 14)
BACK Wright back 4/10 after 2, 13 min since (94% of 14)
PHX availability going into 3/28 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 5 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 13 min since (54% of 24)
BACK Plumlee back 3/26 after 3, 11 min since (61% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/17 after 16, 6 min since (46% of 13)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 6 min since (51% of 12)
NEW Dunn 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 21 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 3/30 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 6 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 13 min since (53% of 24)
BACK Plumlee back 3/26 after 3, 11 min since (61% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/26 after 3, 6 min since (48% of 13)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 6 min since (51% of 12)
NEW Dunn 19 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/01 · 1 day's restOUT Beal missed 7 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 14 min since (59% of 24)
BACK Plumlee back 3/26 after 3, 11 min since (65% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/26 after 3, 8 min since (62% of 13)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 8 min since (63% of 12)
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 26 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 22 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/04 · 2 days' restOUT Beal missed 8 since 3/17, returns tonight: 30 min (94% of 32)
BACK Allen back 3/24 after 6, 18 min since (75% of 24)
BACK Plumlee back 3/26 after 3, 11 min since (65% of 18)
BACK Morris back 3/26 after 3, 8 min since (62% of 13)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 8 min since (63% of 12)
NEW Gillespie 14 to 24 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Plumlee missed 2 since 4/01, out tonight
OUT Morris missed 2 since 4/01, out tonight
BACK Beal back 4/04 after 8, 30 min since (94% of 32)
BACK Bol back 3/26 after 3, 6 min since (47% of 12)
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/08 · 1 day's restOUT Plumlee missed 3 since 4/01, returns tonight: 12 min (68% of 18)
OUT Morris missed 3 since 4/01, returns tonight: 7 min (53% of 13)
BACK Beal back 4/04 after 8, 32 min since (100% of 32)
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/09 · back-to-backOUT Bol missed 2 since 4/06, out tonight
BACK Beal back 4/04 after 8, 30 min since (94% of 32)
BACK Plumlee back 4/08 after 3, 12 min since (68% of 18)
BACK Morris back 4/08 after 3, 7 min since (53% of 13)
NEW Dunn 19 to 25 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 23 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/11 · 1 day's restOUT Bol missed 3 since 4/06, out tonight
BACK Beal back 4/04 after 8, 32 min since (101% of 32)
BACK Plumlee back 4/08 after 3, 18 min since (101% of 18)
BACK Morris back 4/08 after 3, 7 min since (53% of 13)
NEW Dunn 19 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 24 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 23 min over the last 5
PHX availability going into 4/13 · 1 day's restOUT Morris missed 2 since 4/09, returns tonight: 21 min (165% of 13)
OUT Bol missed 4 since 4/06, returns tonight: 5 min (37% of 12)
BACK Beal back 4/04 after 8, 32 min since (98% of 32)
BACK Plumlee back 4/08 after 3, 17 min since (96% of 18)
NEW Dunn 19 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW Ighodaro 17 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Gillespie 14 to 20 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Anunoby at 27 and Towns at 20 a game. Without Brunson (15 straight), McBride (8 straight), Robinson (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Phoenix comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 132, shooting 47 percent and 37 from three, 17 free throws a game; Booker at 26 and Durant at 21 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Plumlee (2 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the defense, New York allowing 104 a night to Phoenix's 132 and the glass, where New York has been plus-3 a night and Phoenix minus-6. Call it New York 120, Phoenix 109, New York by 11.
3/30 vs POR 110-93 — NYK notes
NYK won 110-93. NYK shot 54% (45 of 84) to POR's 44%, 10 of 25 from three. Bridges led with 28 (12 of 22, 2 of 6 from three); Anunoby added 28, Hart 14. The hinge was Q4, 31-15: a lead of 1 became 17. NYK trailed 50-58 at the half and won the second half 60-35. Shamet was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
4/01 vs PHI 105-91 — NYK notes
NYK won 105-91. NYK shot 42% (36 of 85) to PHI's 42%, 12 of 31 from three. Anunoby led with 27 (7 of 16, 2 of 9 from three, 11 of 13 at the line); Shamet added 20, Bridges 14. The hinge was Q1, 35-26: from level to 9 ahead, and the lead reached 23. Bridges was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
4/02 @ CLE 105-124 — NYK notes
NYK lost 105-124. NYK shot 44% (40 of 90) to CLE's 53%, 11 of 36 from three. Towns led with 25 (9 of 16, 1 of 3 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Anunoby added 23, Hart 19. Q1 was theirs, 34-28, but the other 3 periods went 96-71 against them. They led by as many as 15. Bridges's -18 in 36 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/05 @ ATL 121-105 — NYK notes
NYK won 121-105. NYK shot 54% (45 of 84) to ATL's 47%, 15 of 29 from three, and went to the line 19 times to ATL's 12 — 16 points from the stripe to their 9. Towns led with 30 (10 of 15, 2 of 3 from three, 8 of 9 at the line); Anunoby added 24, Bridges 20. The hinge was Q2, 40-22: a lead of 7 became 25, and the lead reached 34. Towns was the night's best plus/minus at +27.
4/06 vs PHX 112-98 — NYK notes
NYK won 112-98. NYK shot 54% (40 of 74) to PHX's 42%, 12 of 28 from three. Anunoby led with 32 (13 of 17, 6 of 8 from three); Bridges added 22, Towns 19. The hinge was Q3, 34-27: a lead of 10 became 17. Towns was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
4/08 vs BOS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 102, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Anunoby at 27 and Towns at 21 a game. Without Tucker (10 straight). One day's rest. Boston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 16 free throws a game; Tatum at 23 and Brown at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 15 a night. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Boston has been plus-15 a night and New York plus-2 and the turnovers, New York giving it away 14 times a game to Boston's 11. Call it New York 112, Boston 111, Boston keeping it close.
4/10 @ DET — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Detroit comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 117, shooting 41 percent and 31 from three, 27 free throws a game; Hardaway Jr. at 19 and Beasley at 17 a game. It has lost the glass by 11 a night. Without Harris (3 straight), Smith (17 straight), Harper Jr. (29 straight). 2 days' rest. New York comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 107, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 20 free throws a game; Towns at 27 and Anunoby at 24 a game. Without Achiuwa (2 straight), Tucker (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-3 a night and Detroit minus-11 and the arc, New York at 38 percent from three to Detroit's 31. Call it New York 113, Detroit 112, Detroit keeping it close.
4/11 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 112, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 18 free throws a game; Towns at 27 and Anunoby at 23 a game. Second night of a back-to-back. Cleveland comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 120 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 15 free throws a game; Mitchell at 24 and Jerome at 21 a game. Without Mitchell (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: New York wins, and the game turns on the arc, Cleveland at 40 percent from three to New York's 36. Call it New York 116, Cleveland 115, Cleveland keeping it close.
4/13 @ BKN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Brooklyn comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 118, shooting 43 percent and 35 from three, 19 free throws a game; Wilson at 14 and Watford at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 6 a night. Without Clowney (6 straight). One day's rest. New York comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 112 a night and allowing 109, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 19 free throws a game; Towns at 27 and Anunoby at 21 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest.
So: New York wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where New York has been plus-1 a night and Brooklyn minus-6 and the defense, New York allowing 109 a night to Brooklyn's 118. Call it New York 113, Brooklyn 109, Brooklyn keeping it close.
3/28 @ MIN 109-124 — PHX notes
PHX lost 109-124. PHX shot 52% (41 of 79) to MIN's 53%, 18 of 37 from three. PHX turned it over 16 times to MIN's 11, and MIN turned those into 12 steals. Durant led with 23 (7 of 19, 3 of 6 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Gillespie added 22, O'Neale 21. Q4 was theirs, 34-32, the deficit cut from 17 to 15, but the other 3 periods went 92-75 against them. Booker's -20 in 39 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/30 vs HOU 109-148 — PHX notes
PHX lost 109-148. PHX shot 48% (42 of 87) to HOU's 57%, 10 of 32 from three, and got to the line 17 times to HOU's 25. PHX turned it over 19 times to HOU's 9, and HOU turned those into 14 steals. Booker led with 28 (12 of 17, 1 of 4 from three); Durant added 11, Morris 10. Q4 was theirs, 36-36, but the other 3 periods went 112-73 against them. Durant's -28 in 23 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/01 @ MIL 123-133 — PHX notes
PHX lost 123-133. PHX took 18 more shots (92 to 74), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 48% to MIL's 69%, 18 of 45 from three, and went to the line 21 times to MIL's 15 — 17 points from the stripe to their 14. PHX turned it over 13 times to MIL's 18. Booker led with 39 (14 of 32, 3 of 11 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Allen added 23, Gillespie 18. Q2 was theirs, 38-29, the deficit cut from 12 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 104-85 against them. Booker's -20 in 43 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/04 @ BOS 103-123 — PHX notes
PHX lost 103-123. PHX shot 44% (41 of 93) to BOS's 52%, 12 of 37 from three, and got to the line 11 times to BOS's 22. Booker led with 37 (15 of 29, 2 of 6 from three); Ighodaro added 12, O'Neale 12. Q3 was theirs, 28-30, but the other 3 periods went 93-75 against them. Beal's -23 in 30 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/06 @ NYK 98-112 — PHX notes
PHX lost 98-112. PHX took 18 more shots (92 to 74), fed by 15 offensive rebounds, but shot 42% to NYK's 54%, 4 of 34 from three. Booker led with 40 (16 of 29, 2 of 7 from three, 6 of 7 at the line); Beal added 16, Allen 15. Q4 was theirs, 28-25, the deficit cut from 17 to 14, but the other 3 periods went 87-70 against them. Beal's -12 in 34 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/08 vs GSW — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 108 a night and allowing 128, shooting 47 percent and 34 from three, 16 free throws a game; Booker at 31 and Allen at 11 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. Without Plumlee (3 straight). One day's rest. Golden State comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 124 a night and allowing 111, shooting 48 percent and 42 from three, 21 free throws a game; Curry at 28 and Podziemski at 22 a game. One day's rest.
So: Golden State wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, Golden State allowing 111 a night to Phoenix's 128 and the glass, where Golden State has been plus-4 a night and Phoenix minus-5. Call it Golden State 120, Phoenix 112.
4/09 vs OKC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 130, shooting 44 percent and 29 from three, 17 free throws a game; Booker at 33 and Allen at 13 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. Second night of a back-to-back. OKC comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 122 a night and allowing 118, shooting 48 percent and 40 from three, 20 free throws a game; Gilgeous-Alexander at 30 and Jal. Williams at 24 a game. It has lost the glass by 4 a night. Second night of a back-to-back.
So: OKC wins, on the road, and the game turns on the arc, OKC at 40 percent from three to Phoenix's 29 and the defense, OKC allowing 118 a night to Phoenix's 130. Call it OKC 121, Phoenix 113.
4/11 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 125, shooting 44 percent and 30 from three, 17 free throws a game; Booker at 31 and Allen at 12 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 7 a night. One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 115, shooting 46 percent and 37 from three, 18 free throws a game; Barnes at 21 and Castle at 20 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: San Antonio wins, on the road, and the game turns on the defense, San Antonio allowing 115 a night to Phoenix's 125 and the arc, San Antonio at 37 percent from three to Phoenix's 30. Call it San Antonio 116, Phoenix 114, Phoenix keeping it close.
4/13 @ SAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Sacramento comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 118 a night and allowing 111, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 21 free throws a game; LaVine at 32 and DeRozan at 25 a game. One day's rest. Phoenix comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 118, shooting 44 percent and 31 from three, 15 free throws a game; Booker at 27 and Beal at 14 a game. It has lost the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest.
So: Sacramento wins, and the game turns on the arc, Sacramento at 41 percent from three to Phoenix's 31 and the glass, where Sacramento has been plus-3 a night and Phoenix minus-5. Call it Sacramento 118, Phoenix 111.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
NYKCP C. Payne
JB J. Brunson
JH J. Hart
KT K. Towns
LS L. Shamet
MB M. Bridges
MM M. McBride
MR M. Robinson
OA O. Anunoby
PHXBB B. Beal
CG C. Gillespie
CM C. Martin
DB D. Booker
GA G. Allen
NR N. Richards
OI O. Ighodaro
RD R. Dunn
RO R. O'Neale
TJ T. Jones
NYK/PHX the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
Anunoby keeps rolling in Brunson's return as Knicks beat Suns 112-98 to reach 50 wins again
NEW YORK -- — OG Anunoby scored 19 of his 32 points in a perfect third quarter to keep up the best scoring stretch of his career, even with Jalen Brunson returning to New York's lineup, as the Knicks beat the Phoenix Suns 112-98 on Sunday night.
Brunson had 15 points and six assists after missing 15 games with a sprained right ankle that he sustained exactly a month earlier. The Knicks didn't need much from their All-Star guard, especially while Anunoby was going 7 for 7 in the third quarter, 5 for 5 from 3-point range.
The Knicks improved to 50-28, giving them consecutive 50-win seasons for the first time since having four in a row from 1991-92 through 1994-95. Karl-Anthony Towns had 19 points and 13 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges scored 22 points against his former team.
Devin Booker scored 40 points for the Suns, who have lost six straight after a three-game road trip in which they played without Kevin Durant because of a sprained left ankle.
Takeaways Suns: The Suns are 11th in the Western Conference and have work to do in the final week of the regular season just to get into the play-in tournament to have any hopes of making the playoffs.
Knicks: With Deuce McBride also returning Sunday and scoring eight points after missing eight games with a groin injury, the Knicks are healthy for a final week in which they will play Cleveland, Boston and potential first-round opponent Detroit.
Key moment With the Knicks leading by 10, Anunoby made consecutive 3-pointers, and after a Suns basket, blew by a defender for a dunk. He followed another Phoenix basket with another 3-pointer for a personal 11-4 run and a 78-61 lead.
Key stat Anunoby has scored 20 or more points in a career-best 10 straight games.
Up next The Knicks host Boston on Tuesday. The Suns are at Golden State on Tuesday.