Phoenix Suns Team Report - January 31

(Basketball News) - Phoenix gets its first look at former Sun Stephon Marbury in a New York uniform, as the Suns travel to the Big Apple to face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

On January 5, 2004, the Knicks acquired the point guard Marbury, shooting guard Anfernee Hardaway and center Cezary Trybanski from Phoenix. In exchange, the Suns received forwards Antonio McDyess and Maciej Lampe, guards Charlie Ward and Howard Eisley, the draft rights to former second-round pick Milos Vujanic, an unconditional first- round draft choice in 2004, a conditional future first-round draft pick and an undisclosed amount of cash.

Marbury had spent two-plus seasons with the Suns, who acquired him from the New Jersey Nets along with Johnny Newman and Soumaila Samake for Jason Kidd and Chris Dudley on July 18, 2001.

The Suns play the final contest of a five-game road trip tonight. Phoenix is 1-3 on the current swing.

On Friday Phoenix fell to the Washington Wizards, 105-100, at the MCI Center. Joe Johnson tied a career-high with 28 points and handed out nine assists for the Suns, who have dropped five of their last six games. Shawn Marion added 24 points for Phoenix.

Phoenix, which has lost two straight on the road, are 6-20 as the visitor this season.

The Knicks have won three straight over Phoenix after losing the last two meetings. The Suns have lost two straight and five of their last six at New York.