Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 16 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter, Jalen Johnson had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and the Atlanta Hawks overcame a 22-point fourth-quarter deficit for a 124-122 victory over the host Phoenix Suns on Sunday
Onyeka Okongwu had 27 points and Dyson Daniels had 11 points and 12 assists for the Hawks, who ran their winning streak to five and completed a sweep of a four-game western road trip.
Dillon Brooks had 34 points, Devin Booker had 27 and Collin Gillespie had 15 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the Suns, who had a five-game winning streak broken.
The Suns led for only 24 seconds in the first half, but they appeared to take control when they went on a 28-4 run to end the third quarter and open the fourth for a 97-77 lead.
The lead that grew to 103-81 with about 10 minutes left before the Hawks came back, countering with a later 20-0 run to close to 107-106 with 4:34 left. The Suns went back ahead by six but again could not hold on.
Alexander-Walker kept the Hawks within one on a short jumper that made it 116-115, and the Hawks took a 117-116 lead on their next possession when Okongwu scored on an alley-oop dunk with 1:16 remaining.
Brooks and Alexander Walker traded layups as Atlanta stayed in front. Johnson made two free throws to push the Hawks’ lead to 121-118 with 23 seconds left in regulation.
The Suns closed to 121-120 on Booker’s layup before Okongwu made two free throws with 10 seconds left. Booker hit two free throws, then tied up Okongwu on the ensuing inbounds play to force a jump ball.
Atlanta regained possession and Alexander-Walker made a free throw with 3.1 seconds left for the final point. Royce O’Neale’s 60-footer as time expired hit the rim and bounced away.
The Hawks outscored the Suns 47-27 in the fourth quarter.
Atlanta forward Zaccharie Risacher left the game with an apparent injury with 6:52 left, when he lost his balance after making a dunk and went down under the Hawks’ basket. He walked off the floor and did not return, with the team announcing after the game that he had a left hip contusion.
The Suns played without Grayson Allen (right quad) and the Hawks were without Kristaps Porzingis, who missed his second straight game with knee soreness. Allen missed his first game of the season.
–Field Level Media
