Booker returns from ankle injury to lead Suns to 106-99 win over struggling Knicks

NEW YORK (AP) — Devin Booker scored 27 points after missing one game with a sprained left ankle, and the Phoenix Suns beat the struggling New York Knicks 106-99 on Saturday night.

Grayson Allen added 16 points and Mark Williams scored 14 for the Suns, who had lost the first two games in their six-game Eastern Conference trip, including Thursday at Detroit when they played without Booker. He shot just 7 of 18 from the field, but hit 12 of 14 on free throws.

Announcement

Karl-Anthony Towns and Deuce McBride each scored 23 points for the Knicks, who were playing without starters Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart because of ankle injuries. They have lost three straight and eight in their last 10 games.

OG Anunoby added 21 points, but the Knicks committed 17 turnovers and fell to 16-5 at home.

In an ugly game with many dives after loose balls — Allen appeared to have badly hurt his nose in a collision on one of them — the Suns broke free from an 87-all tie when Collin Gillespie made a 3-pointer, Booker followed with a three-point play and Williams made two free throws to make it 95-87. The Knicks shot too poorly to comeback, going 1-for-10 from 3 in the fourth quarter with Towns hearing boos after firing an airball on a wide-open attempt on one of their own.

The Knicks welcomed back several former players who were honored on the court at halftime for a late-night homecoming ceremony. Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony was first, while alumni were announced in alphabetical order and included Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, Bill Bradley, Jerry Lucas, Spencer Haywood and Bob McAdoo, all wearing black jackets with the words “Once a Knicks, always a Knick” along with the 1946 team’s founding on the back.

Next

Suns: Visit Brooklyn on Monday.

Knicks: Host Dallas on Monday.

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