Despite a 113-111 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns, the New York Knicks walked away from the game having tested their identity, but even more importantly, getting to see the dog in rising star Kristaps Porzingis.

The 7-foot-3 power forward had exchanged heated possessions with Suns forward Marquese Chriss, until the rookie threw him to the ground early in the second quarter and the Latvian international retaliated by shoving him back in return.

Point guard Brandon Jennings and center Joakim Noah held Porzingis back as he received a technical foul and Chriss was assessed a Flagrant 1 foul for his actions.

“He needed to get like that,” Knicks star Carmelo Anthony told Al Iannazzone of Newsday. “Sometimes people try to take advantage of his kindness. I thought it was getting a little bit too much out there for him. He reacted. We had his back out there.”

Porzingis insists it wasn't just the play itself that got him riled up, but the previous back-and-forth happening prior to it.

“There was some word exchange before that,” Porzingis said. “I was angry. But as soon as the play was over, as soon as that situation was over, the next thing I was thinking about was making those free throws. That was all that was in my mind.”

Kristaps Porzingis Statlines
ClutchPoints/ Jake Zuniga

The Knicks unicorn had a phenomenal game before fouling out in overtime, leading all scorers with 34 points on 4-of-4 shooting from deep and 6-of-7 from the line, adding three steals and three blocks to round out his performance.

“When KP went out with that sixth foul, he was playing pretty well,” head coach Jeff Hornacek said. “It was tough not to have a second scorer out there with Melo.”