Knicks Offense Blasts Off, NY Soars Past the Suns

This was what Leon Rose and Worldwide Wes envisioned when they added OG last December, Bridges in July and then KAT as the cherry on top.

Finals Score: Knicks 138 - Suns 122 
Record: 9-6

I've been following the Knicks for a long, long time and have watched more games than I care to admit, but I can't remember a more dominant start to a contest than New York's first four minutes in Phoenix last night. 

Jalen Brunson drilled a pair of three-pointers on the Knicks' first two offensive possessions. OG Anunoby knocked down a 3PT of his own on New York's next trip down the floor. Mikal Bridges got loose for a transition dunk 20 seconds later and then laced an above-the-break trey. The team fed Karl-Anthony Towns in the post on NY's next two possessions, and KAT converted two silky, smooth floaters. On the subsequent possession, when the Suns tried to get the ball to Devin Booker, OG stole the pass and flipped it to Brunson, who fed Josh Hart for a layup. 

The game was barely four minutes old, yet all five Knicks starters had already scored (without missing a single shot), and New York had a commanding 20-6 lead. 

The onslaught would continue throughout the remainder of the period. By the time the first quarter ended, the Knicks had scored 44 points, shooting 78% from the floor and 73% from behind the arc. 

I like to imagine that as the troops were walking back to the bench, Leon Rose and World Wide Wes looked at each other in their courtside seats and just smiled/chuckled at each other. This was what they had envisioned when they added OG last December, Bridges in July and then KAT as the cherry on top. 

Somehow, New York kept up their frenetic pace and incredible offensive efficiency for most of the night, pouring in a season-high 138 points. 

You almost had to pity the Suns. When they tried to slow down KAT, Brunson took over. When they forced Brunson to pass, he'd find one of his teammates for an open look.

It was a true masterclass and was incredibly entertaining to watch, rewarding those New Yorkers who stayed up way past their bedtime to enjoy the fireworks show. 

Jalen Brunson, who had a 50-burger in Phoenix last season, made seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 36 points (shooting 12-of-21 from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line). He also dished out ten assists. 

In the process, Brunson (who had 26/11/5 in Monday's victory over Washington) became the first player in Knicks franchise history to tally 25+ points, 10+ assists and 5+ made treys in consecutive contests. 

Not to be outdone, Karl-Anthony Towns racked up 34 points (12-of-19 FGs, 7-of-8 FTs), ten rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 34 minutes. KAT and JB are the first teammates to record 30-point double-doubles in the same game this season.

Both ‘Bockers are averaging 25 points per game. This is notable because Only one pair of center/guard teammates has averaged 25+ PPG over an entire NBA season this century: Kobe and Shaq.

And if you are looking for the last time a guard finished a season averaging 25+ PPG and 7+ assists per game (JB is at 7.3 APG) while playing alongside a center who averaged 25+ PPG and 10+ rebounds per game - you have to go all the way back in 1969-70, when Wilt Chamberlain and Jerry West accomplished this feat for the legendary Lakers squad. 

So, yeah, pretty good. 

The scary part is this dynamic duo is only starting to scratch the surface of their two-man chemistry and combined potential. 

And they are surrounded by ideal complementary pieces. Josh Hart was brilliant last night vs. the Suns, tallying 19 points (8-of-11 FGs), 11 rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two 3-pointers in 39 minutes.

This season, Hart is averaging 14.1 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while shooting 59.6% from the floor. 

Those are excellent all-around numbers. In fact, only four players in NBA history have finished a season averaging 14/9/6 on 60% shooting: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Domantas Sabonis, and Wilt Chamberlain.