By Michael Ventura
DNAinfo Senior Editor
MANHATTAN — The return of Danilo Gallinari to the lineup and 41 points from Amar'e Stoudemire couldn't keep the Knicks from dropping their third straight game during a matinee matchup on Monday.
New York's losing streak was extended by a 129-121 loss to the Phoenix Suns, a team the Knicks crushed little more than a week ago.
"We got a little bit of a mental letdown," coach Mike D'Antoni told the New York Post. "It needs to be a wake-up call. We have to understand who we are. We are not Boston or Miami."
Along with all the points, Stoudemire also gained his league-leading 12th technical foul in the game. If he hits 16 technicals, Stoudemire would automatically be suspended for one game.
The loss comes on the heels of a 93-83 loss Friday to the lowly Sacramento Kings. That loss was attributed to fatigue after the Knicks were edged 131-125 by the high-powered Utah Jazz last Wednesday.
"I don't want us to get satisfied," Stoudemire told the Post after Monday's game. "It's a long year and this is only the first half of the season. We can't get comfortable with it. We have to make sure we stay together and win these games and give the effort defensively."
Gallinari had 17 in his return. He had tweaked his knee earlier in the month.
Meanwhile, the Knicks were looking to add first-round draft picks, the New York Times reported.
New York's been in the hunt to land Denver Nuggets swingman Carmelo Anthony and sending a first round pick to Denver is believed to be a key piece in any deal.
The Knicks are reportedly shopping center Anthony Randolph, who's fallen out of the rotation, to trade for a pick, the Times said.
