Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul ended New York Knicks’ nine-game winning streak with dagger shots on Monday night.
The New York Knicks of old are no more, as they are an entertaining, tough team in the Eastern Conference. Entering Monday night, the Knicks were looking to increase their win streak to 10 straight games at the expense of the Phoenix Suns, who were playing on the second night of a back-to-back.
New York was close, but veteran point guard Chris Paul ended those dreams.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Knicks pulled to a 113-110 deficit following a 3-pointer made by their All-Star, Julius Randle. Following that long-distance jump shot, Paul made Randle pay with an absurd 18-foot circus shot to extend Phoenix’s lead to 115-110. After the Knicks turned the ball over on the next possession, Paul hit a 3-pointer with 14 seconds remaining in regulation to clinch the victory. These two shots, of course, came after one of his trademark midrange pull-ups, meaning he scored Phoenix’s last 7 points to close it out.
Chris Paul helped end Knicks win streak in Phoenix’s 118-110 victory
At those exact moments, you can pinpoint the second when Knicks fans’ hearts ripped in half.
Paul finished the night with 20 points (on 8-for-12 shooting), 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks. The point guard’s clutch shots almost overshadowed the performance from Devin Booker, who tallied 33 points (on 14-for-26 shooting from the field), 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
As for the Knicks, their player of the game was veteran Derrick Rose, who scored 22 points on 10-of-18 shooting while dishing out 6 assists and grabbing 6 rebounds off the bench.
The Suns will now head back home following their final game of the road trip, as they host the LA Clippers on Wednesday. The Knicks will look to get back in the win column on Wednesday when they host the Chicago Bulls.