New York Knicks: Who Stepped Up Against The Phoenix Suns?

Jeff Hornacek faced his former team on Tuesday, December 13 when the New York Knicks battled the Phoenix Suns. Who stepped up against Phoenix?

Dec 13, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; (From left) New York Knicks center Joakim Noah holds back forward Kristaps Porzingis as guard Brandon Jennings pushes Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler as guard Devin Booker comes in during a third quarter fight at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Knicks had a chance to complete the process of exorcising past demons on Tuesday, December 13. Much as Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah endured the experience of returning to play the Chicago Bulls, head coach Jeff Hornacek did the same against the Phoenix Suns.

With a chance to win a fifth consecutive road game, the Knicks traveled to Phoenix and posted a defensive dud in a 113-111 loss.

The Knicks and Suns entered this game operating on opposing trajectories at 14-10 and 7-17. New York has been benefiting from the arrival of Hornacek and Phoenix has been suffering from his departure.

The clash on Tuesday, December 13 was a chance for both the Knicks and the Suns to bury the past and move on to the future, but only Phoenix seized the opportunity.

Hornacek trusted his reserves and benefited, but re-inserting the starters into the fourth quarter lineup proved costly. New York’s defensive woes continued and its hot shooting subsided, thus resulting in a brutal 11th loss.

Though there were a number of players who failed to come through, it’d be unfair to not honor those who stepped up.