NBA: New York Knicks vs Phoenix Suns (01/09/26)

Game Preview

The New York Knicks head west to face the Phoenix Suns in a matchup that profiles as a pace-friendly, shot-making contest with plenty of three-point volume on both sides. New York has been profitable against the number recently, while Phoenix looks to translate strong lineup connectivity into a full 48-minute result. With both teams leaning into modern spacing and high three-point rates, mini-runs could decide it late. Expect a tight game where late-game execution and bench minutes matter.

Game Information

Date	Friday, January 9, 2026
Tip-Off	9:00 PM EST
Location	Footprint Center, Phoenix, Arizona
Broadcast	Check local listings

Injury Report

Phoenix Suns Injuries

• Out: Jamaree Bouyea (minimal impact)
• Doubtful: None
• Questionable: None

New York Knicks Injuries

• Out: Josh Hart (minimal impact)
• Doubtful: None
• Questionable: None

Player Impact Summary: Phoenix shows a larger usage-weighted impact hit at -9.2, but it is flagged as minimal impact in the report, suggesting limited real rotation disruption. New York’s absence is even smaller at -2.1. With 0 critical injuries on both sides, this matchup is more about style and execution than availability.

Pace & Efficiency Matchup

New York Knicks

In recent action, the Knicks have played at a brisk 98.9 pace, pairing it with strong shot quality: 58.2% true shooting and 53.6% effective field goal accuracy. They also protect possessions well with about 12.9 turnovers per game. The profile is very perimeter-forward, generating roughly 41.0 three-point attempts per game and making 16.3, a volume that can swing games quickly. Defensively, the available recent rating is high (meaning less effective), so stops may need to come from rebounding and limiting second chances rather than pure half-court resistance.

Phoenix Suns

The Suns are operating at a slightly slower but still modern tempo with a 97.6 pace recently. Offensively they have been efficient enough to compete, posting 56.4% true shooting and 53.8% effective field goal percentage, while committing about 13.6 turnovers per game. Like New York, Phoenix leans heavily into the three, attempting about 41.4 threes per night and converting 15.1. On the glass, Phoenix has shown real second-chance upside with a strong 31.1% offensive rebounding rate, a potential pressure point against a Knicks team that wants to run after misses.

Edge: Both teams are built to generate points through spacing and three-point volume, so the difference comes down to which side controls the possession battle. Phoenix’s offensive rebounding rate gives them a path to extra shots in a game where both offenses can get hot. Recent net ratings show as data unavailable/uncalculated here, so the edge leans more on matchup levers than a clean efficiency gap.

Rest & Travel Analysis

Factor	New York Knicks	Phoenix Suns
Miles Traveled (L10)	6,251	6,479
Timezone Jumps	4	5
Travel Fatigue Index	10.55	12.69
Back-to-Back?	No	No

Fatigue Edge: The travel ledger slightly favors New York, with fewer timezone changes and a lower travel fatigue index over the last 10. Phoenix has carried a heavier travel burden than you would typically expect for a home team, which can show up in late-game legs and defensive closeouts. Still, neither team is on a back-to-back, so this is a mild factor rather than a defining one.

Lineup Synergy & Ref Tendencies

Synergy Score: New York Knicks: -4.5 | Phoenix Suns: 7.7

Synergy Edge: Phoenix owns a significant rotation-cohesion advantage, indicating their lineups have functioned more cleanly together than New York’s in comparable recent samples. In a short spread, that kind of stability can matter in bench minutes and late-game switching decisions.

Referee Edge: Home Ref Impact: 0.1 | Away Ref Impact: 0.1 | Net Edge: 0.0

The officiating numbers suggest only a slight lean toward the home side. It is not large enough to drive a wager by itself, but in a near pick’em spread it can subtly support Phoenix in marginal foul/possession outcomes.

Why New York Knicks Covers

New York can cover by leaning into its cleaner offensive profile and travel advantage. Over their last eight games, the Knicks have shot a strong 58.2% true shooting on heavy three-point volume, and they’ve kept mistakes down at about 12.9 turnovers per game. If the Knicks win the shot math by matching Phoenix’s rebounding and limiting second chances, their perimeter creation can separate in a hurry, especially in a game expected to feature lots of threes. They also arrive with slightly less accumulated travel fatigue, which matters in a close contest where defensive closeouts and late-game free throws can swing a one-possession spread.

Why Phoenix Suns Covers

Phoenix’s case starts with lineup performance: the Suns hold a sizable synergy advantage, a signal that their rotations have been producing more consistent two-way results even when the box score looks similar. Offensively, Phoenix is generating enough efficiency with 56.4% true shooting and a modern shot diet of about 41.4 threes per game, but the swing factor is on the glass. Their 31.1% offensive rebounding rate can create extra possessions against a Knicks team that wants to get out and run after stops. With injuries graded as minimal on both sides and a small home whistle lean, Phoenix simply needs to turn rebound pressure into a few extra shot attempts to justify taking points at home.

The Pick

Phoenix Suns +1.5 (-102)