Hawks snap losing skid with 123-110 victory over Suns

The Atlanta Hawks hosted the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night and the team entered on a four game losing streak after a loss to the Nets in Brooklyn Sunday night. After missing the game Sunday night with a sore hamstring, Trae Young returned to the starting lineup for the home team.

Missing for Atlanta, however, was center Alex Len, who started his career in Phoenix after being selected with the fifth pick by the Suns in 2013. Ricky Rubio (personal) was a late scratch for Phoenix.

Devin Booker was cooking early for the Suns, scoring seven points in the first 1:35. De’Andre Hunter was active early, scoring five of the first nine Atlanta points.

A Kevin Huerter three put the Hawks up 14-11 under the six minute mark in the first, capping a 9-2 run from Atlanta. The rest of the quarter was played relatively even with the Hawks taking a 28-25 lead on a buzzer beating three from Brandon Goodwin to end the first quarter.

Huerter led all scorers with eight points heading into the second.

Early in the second quarter, Goodwin added to his highlight reel in rather unconventional fashion:

Atlanta led 38-33 with 6:59 remaining before the half.

A 10-4 Hawks spurt put them ahead 48-39 with 5:00 left in the second quarter. Atlanta held the slim margin through the end of the quarter, leading 56-51 at half.

Young led all Hawks in points with 13, while Huerter had ten and Hunter had nine. Booker had 19 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the floor at the break for Phoenix.

The Hawks started the second half on a 7-0 run to take their largest lead of the night so far at 63-51.

Another 9-2 jolt put Atlanta up by 15 less than four minutes into the second half. Phoenix fired back with a 11-0 run to get back within three inside the 5:00 mark of the third.

Booker tied the game at 78 with a three late in the period, but the Hawks led 84-83 heading to the fourth on a last-second alley-oop from Huerter to Collins. Booker led all scorers with 29 points through three quarters.

Young hit back-to-back threes early in the fourth as the quarter got off to a fast-paced start. The Hawks led 102-94 with 6:55 remaining after a 17-5 run.

Young hit another three to put the Hawks up 113-102 with just over 4:00 remaining, ultimately icing the win for Atlanta.

Booker was ejected from the contest with 1:35 remaining and the Hawks up 117-108. Atlanta went on to win 123-110.

Collins finished with 22 points, ten rebounds and three blocks in what might have been his best game so far this season. Young had 36 points (21 in the fourth) and ten assists while Huerter added 21 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in another strong January performance. The trio combined for 81 points, 29 rebounds and 18 assists in the win.

Booker led all scorers with 39 in the loss. Deandre Ayton had 20 points and ten rebounds in 33 minutes off the bench.

The Hawks will be back in action Friday night from San Antonio for a matchup with the Spurs.