NBA: Jalen Brunson is hotter than Suns in Knicks’ 16-point win

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) celebrates after making a three pointer during the first quarter of an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Jalen Brunson torched Phoenix again with 36 points, 10 assists and seven 3-pointers as the New York Knicks never trailed in their 138-122 road victory over the struggling Suns in the NBA on Wednesday night.

Karl-Anthony Towns added 34 points on 12-of-19 shooting and collected 10 rebounds as New York notched its fourth consecutive victory.

Josh Hart recorded 19 points, 11 rebounds and six assists for the Knicks, who set a season high for points.

READ: NBA: Jalen Brunson agrees to a four-year extension with Knicks

It was Brunson’s second consecutive big game in Phoenix. In last year’s lone visit, he made a career-best nine 3-pointers and scored a then-high 50 points as the Knicks posted a 139-122 victory.

Devin Booker scored 33 points for the Suns, who have lost five straight games and dropped to 1-6 since star Kevin Durant (calf) has been sidelined. Bradley Beal (calf) missed his fifth straight game.

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots over Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Royce O’Neale had 17 points, Tyus Jones added 15 points and 10 assists and Jusuf Nurkic tallied 14 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots for Phoenix, which allowed its most points of the season.

Mikal Bridges scored 16 points, OG Anunoby added 14 and Cameron Payne had 12 off the bench for New York, which shot 58.1 percent from the field, including 19 of 39 from 3-point range. The Knicks were opening a five-game road trip.

READ: NBA: Knicks make Jalen Brunson their first captain in six years

The Suns connected on 48.9 percent of their shots and were 19 of 50 from behind the arc. Reserve Monte Morris added 10 points for Phoenix.

Brunson made his fifth trey of the night and 14th in a row over his last two Phoenix appearances to give New York a 79-58 advantage less than a minute into the third quarter.

Phoenix later made a 13-4 push to move within 85-71 on Booker’s basket with 7:22 left in the period.

The Suns trailed by 11 before Hart and Brunson hit consecutive 3-pointers to start an 11-2 spurt. Jericho Sims’ dunk capped it and gave the Knicks a 99-79 lead with three minutes left in the period.

New York held a 110-93 entering the final stanza and cruised to the finish.

Brunson had 23 points and seven assists in the first half as the Knicks led 76-58 at the break. He made 8 of 9 from the field, including all four 3-points attempts.

The Knicks ran out to an early 14-3 advantage and led 44-28 entering the second quarter.

Booker scored 18 in the first half for Phoenix. –Field Level Media