Knicks show flaws they still need to iron out despite win over Suns

Jalen Brunson’s return was triumphant where it mattered most – the scoreboard – but it was also clear evidence of several kinks to iron out before the playoffs. 

Brunson was a step slow, hesitant and rusty with his shot in his first game since sustaining a badly sprained ankle a month ago, scoring 15 points on 3 of 9 from the field in 34 minutes while often deferring to scorching hot teammate OG Anunoby. 

But Brunson, as usual, came up big in the biggest spot, hitting his only trey with 1:45 remaining while dropping six in the final two minutes.  

The result against the lowly Suns was another Knicks victory, 112-98, as Tom Thibodeau’s squad moved closer to its inevitable clinching of third in the East.  

Brunson, who had missed 15 straight games, was greeted with a loud ovation during lineup introductions and followed with six assists and eight free throws.

He played more off the ball than usual until the fourth quarter, providing the oxygen for Anunoby to score 32 points on 13 of 17 shooting.

It was the 10th straight time Anunoby finished with at least 20 points – a career best.

And after a particularly productive run in the third quarter, he was serenaded with ‘OG, OG’ chants before a nice ovation upon checking out. 

Anunoby capped the performance with a 360-degree jam in the final minute. 

Just like a night prior in Atlanta, the Knicks were efficient from beyond the arc – hitting 12 of their 28 treys (43 percent).

They led throughout but never created enough separation to feel too comfortable.

Despite shooting just 12 percent on 3s for the night, the Suns, behind Devin Booker’s 40 points, cut the deficit to 5 with about three minutes remaining. 

Then Brunson helped turn away the comeback. 

The Suns, amid a disaster of a season, were a soft landing for Brunson’s return.

They arrived at MSG without Kevin Durant, who didn’t travel because of a sprained ankle and is probably headed to another team in the summer.

A source said there will be no shortage of suitors in the summer for Durant, despite his advanced age and injury history.

The Knicks reportedly showed interest before the trade deadline but they’re also depleted of draft capital after giving up five first rounders for Mikal Bridges. 

Phoenix will be highly motivated to deal Durant given its unenviable circumstances.

The Suns still have Bradley Beal, who will soon surpass Ben Simmons as owner of the NBA’s worst contract relative to production.

They are in the second apron of the luxury tax, depleted of draft picks with no path to improvement beyond rebuilding. 

The Knicks, meanwhile, were fully healthy Sunday following not only the return of Brunson, but also Miles McBride (who hadn’t played previously since March 20 because of a groin issue). 

McBride finished with eight points in 16 minutes.