The Phoenix Suns (35-42) conclude a three-game road trip at the New York Knicks (49-28) at 4 p.m. on April 6. The game will be televised on Arizona’s Family (3TV in Phoenix).
The Suns, 11th in the Western Conference, have lost five straight and are fighting to keep pace for the 10th and final play-in spot. Phoenix trails both Sacramento and Dallas by two games for the ninth and 10th seeds with just five games left.
Phoenix is coming off a 123-103 loss to the Celtics in Boston on Friday. The Kings play at Cleveland Sunday afternoon while the Mavericks are idle until Wednesday, when they host the Lakers.
The Knicks are third in the Eastern Conference and playing the second of a back-to-back after defeating the Hawks, 121-105, in Atlanta on Saturday. New York’s roster includes Karl-Anthony Towns and former Suns Mikal Bridges, Cameron Payne and Landry Shamet. The Knicks defeated the Suns in their previous matchup on Nov. 20 in Phoenix, 138-122.
Durant still out for Phoenix; Brunson returns
The Suns will play their third straight game without leading scorer Kevin Durant, who is out with a left ankle sprain and didn’t travel with the team. He is the only player listed on the Phoenix injury report.
Knicks All-Star Jalen Brunson is nearing his return for the Knicks after missing the past 15 games with a right ankle sprain, including Saturday in Atlanta.
He was listed as questionable before that game. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said pregame Brunson would be a game-time decision. Brunson is averaging 26.3 points and 7.4 assists this season.
He’s averaged 34.4 in his five games against the Suns as a member of the Knicks.
