In a thrilling NBA showdown at State Farm Arena, the Atlanta Hawks ended a four‑game skid by defeating the Phoenix Suns 112‑108. Despite missing star guard Trae Young, Atlanta rallied in the fourth quarter, with key contributions from Bogdan Bogdanović and Clint Capela, while Kevin Durant’s 32 points weren’t enough for the Suns.
Pre‑Game Outlook
The Suns entered the contest with a 12‑4 record and a five‑game winning streak, positioned as 5.5‑point favorites. The Hawks, sitting at 8‑8, were looking to halt a four‑game losing run. Both teams dealt with injuries: Phoenix was without forward Deandre Ayton, while Atlanta listed Trae Young as doubtful.
Game Flow and Key Moments
First Half: Early Exchanges
Kevin Durant opened scoring for Phoenix, but Bogdan Bogdanović answered with a three‑pointer, keeping the game tight. The Suns held a narrow 28‑26 lead after the first quarter, thanks to Durant’s 12 points and Chris Paul’s 7 assists.
Second Quarter: Hawks Take Control
Atlanta exploited the Suns’ missing interior presence, with De’Andre Hunter and Jalen Johnson dominating the paint. A deep three from rookie guard Jalen Williams gave the Hawks a 55‑51 edge, though Phoenix responded with a 10‑0 run to finish the half 57‑52.
Third Quarter: Bench Battles
Phoenix’s bench contributed 22 points, highlighted by Cameron Johnson’s three‑point shooting. The Hawks’ bench outscored the Suns 30‑18, led by Danilo Gallinari’s 12‑point burst, tying the game at 84‑84 heading into the final period.
Clutch Plays in the Final Minutes
With the score tied at 101‑101 and under two minutes left, Trae Young entered for a brief cameo, drawing a foul and sinking both free throws to give Atlanta a 103‑101 lead. Durant answered with a three, but Bogdanović’s contested three with 45 seconds remaining pushed the Hawks ahead 106‑104. Clint Capela sealed the win by converting two free throws after a defensive rebound, finalizing the 112‑108 victory.
Top Performers
- Kevin Durant (Suns): 32 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
- Bradley Beal (Suns): 27 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
- Bogdan Bogdanović (Hawks): 24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists
- Jalen Williams (Hawks): 18 points off the bench, 4 steals
- Clint Capela (Hawks): 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks
Impact on Playoff Race
The win halts Atlanta’s four‑game losing streak, moving the Hawks to 9‑9 and within a half‑game of the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed. Phoenix falls to 12‑5, remaining in the Western Conference’s top tier but now trailing the Denver Nuggets by one game for the second seed.
Future Matchups
Next, the Suns host the Golden State Warriors, a game that could shape the West’s top seed. The Hawks travel to Memphis, aiming to extend their momentum and climb the Eastern ladder.
