Suns, Knicks in Big Brawl; Six Ejected

The New York Knicks lost three players after a brawl, then lost their poise in the second half.

And after the Phoenix Suns beat New York, 121-92, Tuesday night, the Suns were calling for the season-long suspension of Knick guard Greg Anthony, who charged on the court in his street clothes to punch Phoenix guard Kevin Johnson.

“I put a good pick on Doc Rivers and ran off the court. Then the guys proceeded to chase myself, so you have to defend yourself,” said Johnson, the Suns’ point guard. “That’s just a typical brawl, no big deal. My only problem is how can a guy in street clothes come on the court and throw a cheap punch?”

Johnson sported a bruise on each side of his forehead.

“In my 27 years, I’ve never seen anything like that,” Sun owner Jerry Colangelo said.

Colangelo said he planned to speak with NBA officiating director Rod Thorn.

“I’m going to voice my opinions in terms of what I saw, and I think Anthony is the guy who more than anyone else is responsible for the thing getting out of control,” Colangelo added.

The Knicks offered no response. Coach Pat Riley closed the locker room, and security guards turned reporters away.

The game was intense and heated in the first half and a rout in the second.

Dan Majerle scored 14 of his 22 points in the third quarter, when the Suns outscored the Knicks, 33-17, to snap New York’s nine-game winning streak.

“We’re a very proud team, and a lot of people say that we’re a soft team, but we haven’t got the record we have by being a soft team,” Majerle said.

Five players--Knicks Rivers, John Starks and Anthony Mason and the Suns’ Johnson and Danny Ainge--were ejected at the end of the first half, during which 12 technical fouls were called.

Anthony, sitting out his third game in a row because of an ankle sprain, was ejected as well.

Just before the half, Starks missed a shot as Rivers and Johnson collided. Rivers went down and charged Johnson.

The floor filled with players and coaches. Riley even put a headlock on Johnson.

Ainge and Johnson exchanged words with Knick players in the hallway under the bleachers during halftime but were turned back by security guards.

Charles Barkley had 31 points and 11 rebounds for the Suns. Cedric Ceballos added 20 points and 12 rebounds.

Patrick Ewing scored only two of his 24 points in the second half for the Knicks.