Following a three-game win streak, the New York Knicks host the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. In a battle between contenders of their respective conferences, the Knicks look to beat their first team with a winning percentage above .500.
In the Knicks' last three games, they've beaten the Brooklyn Nets twice and the Washington Wizards—not precisely a resume of a champion. However, opposing the Suns, the Knicks play a contender in some facet. Two-thirds of the Suns' Big Three won't play for the Madison Square Garden crowd, as Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal are out due to their respective injuries.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Nonetheless, the 9-6 Suns offer the 8-6 Knicks a necessary friction to prep them for future playoff matchups. Devin Booker will attempt to continue his theme of beating the Knicks and doing so in All-Star fashion.
In 16 career games vs. the Knicks, Booker averages 27 points on 46.7 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from 3.
Although Booker's presence suggests a challenge for the Knicks' defense, the Suns' defense leaves much to be desired, primarily in the frontcourt. In light of the Knicks' frontcourt injuries, Karl-Anthony Towns opposing Phoenix's starting center Jusuf Nurkic bodes well for the Knicks, desperate for a win against a legitimate playoff team. With a win against the Suns, the Knicks would move to 4-4 in road games in the 2024-25 season.
For the Knicks to make the playoffs and, more importantly, as a top.
