Phoenix Suns vs. New York Knicks Match Analysis: April 6, 2025, NBA Regular Season

The Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks faced off in a single game on April 6, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, as part of the 2024-25 NBA regular season. The Knicks decisively defeated the Suns 112-98, marking Phoenix’s sixth straight loss. This article provides a detailed breakdown of the game, including player stats, key moments, and team performance context, sourced from verified outlets. As this was a single-game matchup rather than a multi-game series, the analysis focuses on this specific contest.

Match Overview

• Sport: Basketball
• League: NBA (2024–25 Regular Season)
• Date: April 6, 2025
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, NY
• Attendance: 19,812
• Matchup: Phoenix Suns vs Knicks Match Player Stats
• Final Score:
  • New York Knicks: 112
  • Phoenix Suns: 98
• Winner: New York Knicks
• Officials: Ed Malloy (Head), Andy Nagy, Sean Corbin
• Attendance: 19,812

Game Overview: Phoenix Suns vs. New York Knicks, April 6, 2025

The Knicks improved to 50-28, securing their second consecutive 50-win season, while the Suns fell to 35-43, struggling in 11th place in the Western Conference. The game was highlighted by OG Anunoby’s dominant 32-point performance, including a perfect 7-for-7 third quarter, and Devin Booker’s 40-point effort for Phoenix, which wasn’t enough to overcome New York’s efficient shooting and balanced attack. The absence of Kevin Durant (sprained left ankle) significantly impacted the Suns’ performance.

Game Summary

The Knicks controlled the game with superior shooting (54.1% FG, 42.9% 3PT) and rebounding (41-35), particularly in the third quarter, where they outscored the Suns 34-27, led by Anunoby’s 19 points. The Suns, despite Booker’s scoring outburst, struggled from beyond the arc (11.8% 3PT) and couldn’t match New York’s defensive intensity. The Knicks’ balanced attack, with five players in double figures, and their ability to capitalize on Phoenix’s turnovers (12 points off turnovers) sealed the victory.

Scoring by Quarter

Game Leaders

• Points: Devin Booker (PHX) – 40 | OG Anunoby (NYK) – 32
• Rebounds: Ryan Dunn (PHX) – 8 | Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK) – 13
• Assists: Collin Gillespie (PHX) – 4 | Jalen Brunson, Cameron Payne (NYK) – 6 each
• Steals: Bradley Beal (PHX) – 4 | Miles McBride (NYK) – 2
• Blocks: Bradley Beal (PHX) – 2 | Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges, Mitchell Robinson (NYK) – 1 each

Key Player Stats: Phoenix Suns

• Devin Booker (G): 40 points, 16-for-29 FG (55.2%), 2-for-7 3PT (28.6%), 6-for-7 FT (85.7%), 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 40:25 minutes, -9 +/-. Booker was the Suns’ offensive engine, scoring 15 points in the third and 11 in the fourth, but his efforts couldn’t close the gap.
• Bradley Beal (G): 16 points, 8-for-19 FG (42.1%), 0-for-5 3PT, 0-for-2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 34:04 minutes, -12 +/-. Beal contributed defensively but struggled with efficiency.
• Grayson Allen (G, Reserve): 15 points, 4-for-13 FG (30.8%), 0-for-6 3PT, 7-for-7 FT (100%), 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 21:59 minutes, -4 +/-. Allen provided a spark off the bench with perfect free-throw shooting.
• Oso Ighodaro (F, Reserve): 8 points, 4-for-4 FG (100%), 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 23:08 minutes, -11 +/-. Ighodaro was efficient in limited minutes.
• Ryan Dunn (F): 4 points, 2-for-7 FG (28.6%), 0-for-4 3PT, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 33:52 minutes, +5 +/-. Dunn led the Suns in rebounds.
• Royce O’Neale (F): 5 points, 2-for-6 FG (33.3%), 1-for-5 3PT (20.0%), 2 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, 20:08 minutes, -11 +/-. O’Neale struggled with shooting.
• Nick Richards (C): 5 points, 2-for-2 FG (100%), 1-for-1 FT (100%), 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block, 24:52 minutes, -3 +/-. Richards was efficient but limited offensively.
• Tyus Jones (G, Reserve): 5 points, 1-for-5 FG (20.0%), 1-for-5 3PT (20.0%), 2-for-2 FT (100%), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 19:57 minutes, -8 +/-. Jones contributed playmaking but was inefficient.
• Collin Gillespie (G, Reserve): 0 points, 0-for-6 FG, 0-for-2 3PT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 18:08 minutes, -7 +/-. Gillespie struggled offensively but led in assists.
• Cody Martin (F, Reserve): 0 points, 0-for-1 FG, 3:27 minutes, -10 +/-. Minimal impact in limited minutes.
• Inactives/DNP: Kevin Durant (sprained left ankle), Jalen Bridges, TyTy Washington Jr., Bol Bol, Damion Lee, Vasilije Micić, Monté Morris, Mason Plumlee.

Team Stats: 42.4% FG (39/92), 11.8% 3PT (4/34), 84.2% FT (16/19), 35 rebounds (15 offensive), 20 assists, 11 steals, 3 blocks, 12 turnovers, 60 points in the paint, 12 points off turnovers, 9 fastbreak points.

Key Player Stats: New York Knicks

• OG Anunoby (F): 32 points, 13-for-17 FG (76.5%), 6-for-8 3PT (75.0%), 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 turnovers, 36:24 minutes, +9 +/-. Anunoby was unstoppable, scoring 19 points on 7-for-7 FG (5-for-5 3PT) in the third quarter.
• Mikal Bridges (G): 22 points, 8-for-14 FG (57.1%), 2-for-3 3PT (66.7%), 4-for-4 FT (100%), 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 39:27 minutes, +11 +/-. Bridges was efficient against his former team.
• Karl-Anthony Towns (C): 19 points, 7-for-13 FG (53.8%), 0-for-3 3PT, 5-for-6 FT (83.3%), 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 36:25 minutes, +16 +/-. Towns dominated the boards.
• Jalen Brunson (G): 15 points, 3-for-9 FG (33.3%), 1-for-4 3PT (25.0%), 8-for-10 FT (80.0%), 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 34:27 minutes, +9 +/-. Brunson returned from a 15-game absence (sprained right ankle) and focused on playmaking.
• Josh Hart (F): 7 points, 2-for-6 FG (33.3%), 0-for-2 3PT, 3-for-4 FT (75.0%), 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 37:47 minutes, +13 +/-. Hart provided all-around contributions.
• Miles McBride (G, Reserve): 8 points, 3-for-6 FG (50.0%), 2-for-4 3PT (50.0%), 2 assists, 2 steals, 15:43 minutes, +4 +/-. McBride returned from an eight-game absence (groin injury) with a spark.
• Landry Shamet (G, Reserve): 5 points, 2-for-3 FG (66.7%), 1-for-2 3PT (50.0%), 1 rebound, 1 turnover, 13:31 minutes, +7 +/-. Shamet added efficient scoring.
• Cameron Payne (G, Reserve): 2 points, 1-for-4 FG (25.0%), 0-for-2 3PT, 1 rebound, 6 assists, 13:33 minutes, +5 +/-. Payne tied Brunson for the team lead in assists.
• Mitchell Robinson (C, Reserve): 2 points, 1-for-2 FG (50.0%), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 12:43 minutes, -4 +/-. Limited minutes but contributed defensively.
• Inactives/DNP: MarJon Beauchamp, Ariel Hukporti, Kevin McCullar Jr., Precious Achiuwa, Pacôme Dadiet, Tyler Kolek, P.J. Tucker, Anton Watson, Delon Wright.

Team Stats: 54.1% FG (40/74), 42.9% 3PT (12/28), 83.3% FT (20/24), 41 rebounds (6 offensive), 28 assists, 6 steals, 3 blocks, 14 turnovers, 50 points in the paint, 9 points off turnovers, 19 fastbreak points.

Critical Moments

• First Quarter (NYK 27, PHX 23): The game was tight, with 12 lead changes and six ties. Booker (9 points, 3-for-5 FG) and Anunoby (7 points, 3-for-4 FG) traded baskets, with the Knicks taking a slight lead on Shamet’s layup (23-27).
• Second Quarter (NYK 26, PHX 20): The Knicks built a 53-43 halftime lead with a 10-2 run, fueled by Towns (7 points) and Bridges (5 points). Phoenix struggled from three (1-for-16 3PT), with Booker (10 points) keeping them in the game.
• Third Quarter (NYK 34, PHX 27): Anunoby’s perfect 7-for-7 shooting, including 5-for-5 from three, sparked an 11-4 personal run, pushing the Knicks’ lead to 78-61. Booker (15 points) and Ighodaro (4 points) responded, but Phoenix trailed 87-70.
• Fourth Quarter (PHX 28, NYK 25): The Suns made a late push, cutting the lead to 93-87 with Beal’s layup (5:51) and Booker’s free throws (4:26). The Knicks answered with Bridges’ layup (4:04), Brunson’s three-pointer (1:44), and Anunoby’s dunk (0:40), sealing the 112-98 win.

Head-to-Head Context

Since 1969, the Knicks and Suns have played 138 games, with Phoenix leading 72-66. The Suns average 106.9 PPG to the Knicks’ 105.6 PPG. In the last five games before 2025, the Knicks won three, but the April 6, 2025, game favored New York due to their 87% win probability (Sofascore community votes) and Phoenix’s missing Durant.

The Knicks’ efficiency (54.1% FG, 42.9% 3PT) and rebounding edge (41-35) overwhelmed the Suns, who were hampered by poor three-point shooting (11.8%) and Durant’s absence. Anunoby’s career-best scoring stretch (10 straight 20+ point games) and Towns’ rebounding dominance were decisive.

Team Performance Context

• Phoenix Suns (35-43, 11th in Western Conference): The Suns were reeling from a six-game losing streak, exacerbated by Durant’s absence. Their offense (114.0 PPG, 15th in NBA) relied heavily on Booker (25.9 PPG), but their defense (116.6 PPG allowed, 22nd) and poor three-point shooting (4-for-34 in this game) hindered them. They faced a critical final week to secure a play-in spot.
• New York Knicks (50-28, Eastern Conference Contenders): The Knicks, with consecutive 50-win seasons, ranked ninth in offense (116.1 PPG) and defense (111.7 PPG allowed). Their rebounding (42.8 RPG, 24th) and three-point shooting (12.5 3PM, 37.0%) were strengths, with Towns (24.3 PPG, 12.8 RPG) and Brunson (26.1 PPG, 7.4 APG) leading a balanced roster.

Injury and Roster Notes

• Phoenix Suns: Kevin Durant missed the game with a sprained left ankle, a significant blow to their offense and defense. Jalen Bridges and TyTy Washington Jr. were also inactive.
• New York Knicks: Jalen Brunson returned after missing 15 games (sprained right ankle), and Miles McBride returned after eight games (groin injury). MarJon Beauchamp, Ariel Hukporti, and Kevin McCullar Jr. were inactive.

Standout Performances and Fantasy Basketball Impact

• OG Anunoby (NYK): His 32 points, including a perfect third quarter, make him a must-start in fantasy leagues, especially during his 10-game 20+ point streak.
• Devin Booker (PHX): Despite the loss, Booker’s 40 points (55.2% FG) reinforce his elite fantasy value (25.9 PPG, 7.0 APG).
• Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK): His 19 points and 13 rebounds solidify his double-double consistency (24.3 PPG, 12.8 RPG), a top-tier fantasy option.
• Bradley Beal (PHX): His 16 points, 4 steals, and 2 blocks offer multi-category value, but his 0-for-5 3PT shooting is a concern for fantasy managers.

For more fantasy insights, check ESPN’s forecaster or Stathead.com for player comparisons.

Conclusion

The New York Knicks defeated the Phoenix Suns 112-98 on April 6, 2025, in a one-game matchup at Madison Square Garden. OG Anunoby’s 32-point explosion, Karl-Anthony Towns’ double-double, and Mikal Bridges’ efficiency powered the Knicks, while Devin Booker’s 40 points couldn’t overcome Phoenix’s poor three-point shooting and Kevin Durant’s absence. The Knicks’ balanced attack and defensive edge secured their 50th win, while the Suns faced an uphill battle for a play-in spot. For more detailed stats and play-by-play, visit NBA.com, ESPN, or FOX Sports.