Jalen Brunson's career-high 50 leads N.Y. Knicks over Phoenix Suns after Beal goes down

The Phoenix Suns (13-12) lost 139-122 to the New York Knicks (14-10) at home on Friday in a game that saw Bradley Beal again go down with an injury.

This is the second straight loss for Phoenix, and the team has dropped six of its last eight. New York has won five within that same stretch.

Jalen Brunson manhandled Phoenix, scoring his career-high 50 points, including nine made 3s. He added game-highs nine assists and six rebounds. New York's Julius Randle had 23 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, and RJ Barrett had 21 in the victory.

Phoenix lost Bradley Beal in the first quarter after he injured his right ankle on a four-point play and never returned. He finished with six points. Kevin Durant had Phoenix's team-high 29 points. Devin Booker had 28 and tied Brunson on nine assists in the losing effort.

Phoenix plays next on Sunday against the Washington Wizards, the final of the team's five-game homestand.

Bradley Beal rolls ankle against Knicks, proving the Suns are cursed

Knicks' Brunson drives surge, Suns ahead entering 4th quarter

After Phoenix gained its largest lead by 10 in the third, New York closed the quarter on a 99-97 deficit.

New York's Jalen Brunson got 19 of his 34 points in the period to lead all scorers. He also has seven assists, four rebounds, and a game-high four steals.

Devin Booker has Phoenix's best 25 points with nine assists, Kevin Durant has 23 points and six dimes.

Durant drives Suns' halftime lead

Phoenix is up 68-63 at the break.

Kevin Durant caught fire in the second quarter by scoring 14 of his current game-high 17 points. He started the first on 1-of-5 shooting, then went 5-of-7 including four made 3s in the second.

Three of Phoenix's other starters have scored in double figures and are also shooting well.

Grayson Allen has 10 points going 4-for-4, Jusuf Nurkic has 15 on 6-of-7 with 10 rebounds, and Devin Booker has 14 points on a decent. 6-of-11.

Three of New York's starters Jalen Brunson, RJ Barrett, and Julius Randle are also in double figures. Brunson has 15 points, and the latter two have 13 each.

Beal injured, Suns trail Knicks after 1st quarter

Phoenix closed the opening period down by a slim margin 31-30, and Bradley Beal is already gone.

He caught the injury bug again at the 7:28 mark when he made a contested 3 and was fouled by Donte DiVincenzo. Beal landed awkwardly on his right ankle and was down for multiple minutes. The play was reviewed and the foul was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 from DiVincenzo coming under Beal's legs during the shot.

Beal attempted to walk it off, but had to be helped to the bench by the medical staff. He made the extra free throw to complete the four-point play, then went to the locker room. Phoenix announced that he won't return to the game.

This was only the second regular season game in which Phoenix's Big 3 of Beal, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker had played together. Beal was sidelined from a lower back strain before then since Nov. 12 in Phoenix's home loss to Oklahoma City. He returned Tuesday against Golden State.

Beal scored six points, and added an assist before his exit. Booker currently has the game-high 12 points for Phoenix.

Starting lineups

Phoenix is starting Devin Booker running the point, Grayson Allen at the two spot, Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant at forward, and Jusuf Nurkic making his 25th consecutive start in the middle.

New York will open with former Villanova teammates Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo in the backcourt, small forward RJ Barrett, All-Star Julius Randle at the four, and Jericho Sims at center.

Suns' sharpshooter Grayson Allen back; injury report

Phoenix guard Grayson Allen (groin) said during the team's Friday morning shootaround media availability that he's "ready to go" against New York.

Allen has missed Phoenix's past three games since Phoenix's In-Season Tournament quarterfinal loss at the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 5.

The six-year veteran guard has started in all 19 of his appearances this season, and is one of the team's top outside shooters. In addition to Allen's averages of 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, his 46.8% from the 3 is second on the team behind Kevin Durant's 48.4%. Allen's the Suns' best in true shooting at 65.5%.

Other Suns listed on the pregame injury report: Nassir Little (orbital fracture), available; Eric Gordon (right lower leg soreness), out; Josh Okogie (right hip), out; Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery), out.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Knicks torch Suns as Jalen Brunson drops career high 50 points