Brunson’s precision from 3 is the key

PHOENIX — As the Knicks float inside the average bubble and Tom Thibodeau hammers home the importance of rebounding, an overlooked commonality separating wins and losses is the performance of the point guard.

Specifically, the 3-point shooting of the point guard.

Jalen Brunson is knocking down a career-best 42.9 percent of his treys, the main reason behind his 24.6 points per game. But when the Knicks lose — which has happened 10 times this season — he’s only connecting on 27.4 percent, including a combined 0-for-16 in the past three defeats to Utah, Boston and Milwaukee.

In the 13 Knicks’ victories, Brunson’s 3-point efficiency is at 53.2 percent, nearly doubling the rate in defeats.

So is it a matter of Brunson just needing to shoot better for the Knicks to win? Or is he getting better looks in those games? It’s a mixture of both, but mostly Brunson is just misfiring on similar opportunities when the Knicks lose.

For example, in victories, about 37 percent of Brunson’s 3-pointers are “wide open,” and he’s hitting 59 percent. In defeats, about 32 percent of Brunson’s 3-pointers are “wide open,” and he’s hitting just 25 percent.

Despite the strong connection to 3-point shooting and results, coaches and players harp on defense and rebounding, because that’s more controllable. In other words, effort should always be consistent, but shooting fluctuates. As a team, the Knicks are shooting 42.9 percent on treys in wins and 30.7 in losses.

➤ The Knicks could get a first glimpse Friday of Phoenix’s Big 3 — Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal — who played together for the first time Wednesday in a loss to the Nets.

Only Booker played in the first matchup against the Knicks last month, and he was the only one the Suns needed in a tight victory at MSG. Durant and Beal were both injured.

The Suns (13-11) are also retiring the No. 31 jersey of Shawn Marion before Friday’s game. Marion played nine seasons with the organization as a big part of the successful run in the 2000s alongside Steve Nash and Amar’e Stoudemire.

The Suns are planning to retire Stoudemire’s jersey later this season.