The Knicks have thrived this season by outworking their opponents and maintaining a laser-like focus. But for two seconds Friday night, they lost it, and it proved costly.
After leading by as many as 10 points in the third quarter, the Knicks were ahead by two when Julius Randle misfired with eight seconds remaining in the period. Devin Booker raced upcourt but missed a driving layup. But the Suns outhustled the Knicks and Tory Craig provided a tying follow to the miss with eight-tenths of a second left.
RJ Barrett then lazily inbounded, but Cam Payne swiped it right in front of the rim and dropped in a layup to cap a 9-0 run in the final 61 seconds of the quarter.