The New York Knicks will travel to face the Phoenix Suns on Friday night in a game between two teams with their sights set on playoff basketball this season. New York arrives fresh off a slump-busting win over the LA Clippers, while the Suns are looking to build on a win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their last game. Here, I break down this inter-conference matchup in the NBA and give you my Knicks vs Suns prediction.
Our Knicks vs Suns Pick ATS PRO
Pick: | Suns ML |
Confidence: | 4/5 |
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: New York Knicks @ Phoenix Suns
- Date & Time: Friday, January 9, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: Mortgage Matchup Center, Phoenix, Arizona
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
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Key Storylines
- The Knicks (24‑13) come into this contest having ended a four‑game losing skid with a win over the Clippers in their last outing. Karl‑Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson led the way with efficient scoring and playmaking, helping New York regain confidence. But the Knicks are still without Josh Hart for this game, which will make it harder for them to generate second chances and control the glass on both ends of the floor.
- New York’s inconsistency has been an issue, especially on the road. The Knicks come into this matchup with a road record of 7-9 on the season and that could be a problem against a Suns team that is 12-5 on their home floor this year.
- Phoenix (22‑15) comes off a dominant 117‑98 road victory over the Grizzlies, fueled by a season‑high 22 three‑pointers and scoring from several perimeter players. That win was the third in four games for the Suns and they will try to keep things moving in the right direction with a win over the Knicks here.
- The Suns’ shooting has been a key factor in their recent results. When Devin Booker, Grayson Allen, and Dillon Brooks find rhythm from deep, Phoenix can outscore most opponents. Defensive improvements have also helped stabilize the Suns as they enter this contest in seventh place in the Western Conference.
Head‑to‑Head & Betting Trends
- New York is 2‑10 ATS in its last 12 games overall, and the total has gone OVER in 6 of its last 8.
- The Knicks are 1‑4 ATS in their last 6 road games.
- Phoenix is an NBA-best 26-11 against the spread this season.
- This is the first of two games that the Knicks and Suns will play against one another this season.
Best Player Props to Watch ATS PRO
Player | Prop |
|---|
Devin Booker | Over 26.5 Points |
Karl‑Anthony Towns | Over 11.5 Rebounds |
Jalen Brunson | Under 6.5 Assists |
Grayson Allen | Over 2.5 Three‑Pointers Made |
Knicks vs Suns Model Projection ATS PRO
Score Projection: Knicks 115 – Suns 118
Win Probability: Knicks 48%, Suns 52%
Final Thoughts ATS PRO
My best bet for this big game in the NBA is for the Phoenix Suns to get a win on their home floor as a slight underdog. The Knicks have been subpar on the road throughout the season and the absence of Josh Hart prevents them from making the same amount of hustle plays that typically win them tight games. I'll take Phoenix to get the better of New York and to hand the Knicks their fifth loss in six games.
Jay Sanin
Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.
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