Recap: Devin Booker Hits Game-Winner as Suns Top Knicks

The Phoenix Suns narrowly beat the New York Knicks in a thrilling 116-113 contest in what was largely a back-and-forth affair in the second half.

Both teams came into the game playing well as of late, and the contrasting styles in which they play created an intriguing matchup on paper, even with Suns star Kevin Durant being ruled out shortly before tip-off.

First Half

The Suns clicked on all cylinders in the first quarter, particularly Eric Gordon. Gordon finished the first quarter with 11 points, including three 3-point hits. Phoenix also played stout defense on New York, only ceding 22 first-quarter points (Jalen Brunson carried much of the scoring load).

Vogel went to more unconventional lineups in the second quarter in the absence of Kevin Durant and Grayson Allen, including playing Chemezie Metu significant minutes once again. The five-man lineup at one point in the second was Gordon-Okogie-Watanabe-Little-Nurkic.

The Suns shockingly expanded on the lead behind largely bench units, with Metu, Goodwin, and Watanabe impressing in their time on the court.

Yuta from the top of the key 👌 pic.twitter.com/NB4DYD8GOM
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 26, 2023

Devin Booker struggled with his shot in the first half, going 2-for-8 from the floor, but was a positive impact everywhere else, dishing out 7 assists and playing inspired defense.

The Knicks ended the quarter on a high note, finishing the half down 8.

Suns player of the half: Eric Gordon (17 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, 4-6 3PTFG)

Knicks player of the half: Jalen Brunson (20 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 9-13 FG, 2-4 3PTFG)

Second Half

The Knicks began the second half on a heater, scoring seven early points in the first two minutes of the half to cut the Phoenix lead to 67-63.

Eric Gordon and Devin Booker quickly quelled the early Knicks' run to begin the half.

Gordon hit two deep threes, and Booker hit two tough mid-range looks to put the Suns up 74-64 with 8:04 left in the third quarter when Julius Randle got a trip to the free throw line.

Booker once again quickly responded with an and-one on a fadeaway mid-range shot that took a high degree of difficulty to knock down.

Phoenix lead 79-66 with 7:23 left in the quarter when the Knicks took a timeout.

The Knicks once again did their best to get back into the game, this time in non-Booker minutes, going on a 10-0 run to cut the Suns' lead to 79-76 before Booker re-entered and Nassir Little hit a contested three to expand the lead to 6 once again.

The back-and-forth continued, with a Randle and-one and Booker mid-range placing the score at 84-79.

Jalen Brunson continued his superb play, hitting another three to get to 30 points on the night and Frank Vogel called a timeout with Phoenix up 84-82 with 3:28 left in the quarter.

New York finally tied the game at 84 before taking their first lead off of a Randle shot from close range.

Little answered with yet another big shot, giving Phoenix the lead again before a hard foul on Mitchell Robinson lead to the game being tied at 87. Metu hit a massive three-pointer off of a Booker assist to put Phoenix on top once again in a turbulent third quarter.

This was once again answered by a Randle and-one off of a two-man game set with Jalen Brunson.

Booker answered with a big free throw line extended jumper to tie the game up at 92 and Goodwin closed the quarter with a huge side-step three in an unreal third quarter.

Phoenix lead 95-92 in one of the more entertaining quarters of basketball this season.

The fourth quarter began with yet another Booker bucket - the Suns star continued to pick up on efficiency after a rough first half.

Jordan Goodwin helped put the Suns at the 100-point mark with a massive block and fast-break push that lead to a Booker assist on a thundering Little dunk.

TWO-HANDED SLAM. https://t.co/1hypvYw7BU pic.twitter.com/kIN28qP8nV
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 27, 2023

New York called a timeout with 9:03 left in the game, down 100-95.

Jordan Goodwin continued his terrific play with a hit from the right wing to put Phoenix up 103-97.

The back-and-forth nature of the second half continued, with Jalen Brunson hitting a full-up three point shot to tie the game at 107.

A Booker euro-step reverse layup gave Phoenix a 2-point lead with 3:37 left in the game.

Phoenix led 111-107 with 2 minutes to go in the game. A Booker turnover shortly thereafter lead to a Randle dunk that cut the Suns lead to 2 once again.

A Booker hustle rebound off of a long Eric Gordon miss put him at the free throw line, extending the Suns lead back to 4.

The Knicks managed to tie the game at 113 with 21.9 seconds remaining. A full timeout by Frank Vogel ensued and it appeared as if Booker would get a chance to walk-off the game.

And delivered he did.

A wild side-step three pointer over Julius Randle had the perfect arc and went in the hoop with 1.7 seconds left put Phoenix up 3.

Fading away over two defenders 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dGNpIKY7IB
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) November 27, 2023

The Knicks got one last prayer - a wild Brunson shot from well over 30 out that nearly hit before the buzzer sounded.

Phoenix came out on top at the end of the day, and improve to 11-6 on the season while also extending the win streak to seven games.

Phoenix travels to Toronto next to face the Raptors on Wednesday night before a back-to-back home set on Friday and Saturday.