NBA Game Recap - Phoenix at Atlanta
Tue Jan 14, 2020 7:30 PM EST

UTA
118
BKN
107
F
PHO
110
ATL
123
F
HOU
110
MEM
121
F
NY
102
MIL
128
F
CLE
103
LAC
128
F
DAL
124
GS
97
F

Atlanta 123, Phoenix 110

Jan 14, 2020, 7:30 PM EST

Final

1

2

3

4

T

Phoenix

25

26

32

27

110

Atlanta

28

28

28

39

123

Young, Huerter power Hawks to 123-110 win over Booker, Suns
Tue Jan 14, 2020 11:33 PM

ATLANTA (AP) Kevin Huerter says he has no idea when Trae Young is about to go on one of his hot streaks.

The latest scoring spree for the Atlanta point guard was especially well-timed.

Young scored 21 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and the Hawks pulled away late to beat the Phoenix Suns 123-110 on Tuesday night.

"Any shot Trae takes looks good to us," Huerter said. "He hit probably two 30-footers. When he's making those, he's tough to guard."

Devin Booker led the Suns with 39 points before he was ejected for his second technical foul following his dunk with less than two minutes remaining.

Young had only 15 points before more than doubling his total in the final period for his 20th game with at least 30 points this season. He is averaging 29.1 points per game.

"You have to have a closer in this league and you have to be able to execute in the fourth quarter," Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said.

For Atlanta, saddled with the NBA's worst record, there has been far too little fourth-quarter execution this season. That changed against the Suns, when the Hawks made 12 of 19 shots, including five of eight 3-pointers, in the final period. Young hit four of seven 3s in the final 12 minutes.

"He's been doing that since high school," said Suns center Deandre Ayton, who had 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Young got help from Huerter, his backcourt partner. Huerter scored 23 points and set career highs with 15 rebounds and eight assists.

"I was trying to be aggressive," he said.

John Collins added 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Led by Young, the Hawks pulled away in the final period after briefly losing their lead in the third. Young's 3-pointer gave Atlanta a 95-92 lead it did not relinquish.

Each team made lineup adjustments.

Suns guard Ricky Rubio did not accompany the team to Atlanta for personal reasons.

Phoenix coach Monty Williams, unhappy with his team's play, ripped off his tie following the game.

"I thought our offense just sputtered tonight," he said. "Certainly not having Ricky on the floor hurt. ... But we had chances. The ball movement certainly wasn't there."

The Hawks had few options inside as centers Alex Len (lower back pain) and Bruno Fernando did not play. Atlanta was boosted by Young's return after missing one game with a sore left hamstring.

After leading 56-51 at halftime, Atlanta opened the second half with a 12-4 run. Collins sank a 3-pointer for a 68-55 lead. The Hawks stretched the lead to 75-61 on another 3 from Collins.

Phoenix rallied late in the third to take its first lead of the second half, 81-80, on Cameron Johnson's three-point play.

TIP-INS

Suns: Elie Okobo missed his only four shots and had three assists in his second start of the season as Rubio's fill-in. ... Booker made all 13 of his free throws. ... Mikal Bridges had 15 points.

Hawks: Fernando arrived in Atlanta on Tuesday morning following a 20-hour flight from his native Angola. He missed his fourth game following his mother's death. ... Hawks Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins was given a cake courtside to celebrate his 60th birthday on Sunday.

EJECTED

Williams didn't agree with Booker's ejection.

"There's taunting going on all game," Williams said, adding he thought the ejection was "silly."

"That's what I told the ref. That's a tough one to take," he added.

Booker said that after his jam he only said: "I can do that every time." He called the exchange of trash talk "average NBA game talk."

STAYING ALIVE

With his team missing two centers, Pierce said his biggest concern was having Collins and Damian Jones get into foul trouble as the team's primary available inside players. Collins finished with five fouls. Jones, who had 11 points, had three fouls.

UP NEXT

Suns: Continue their three-game East Coast trip at New York on Thursday night.

Hawks: Play at San Antonio on Friday night.

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Leaders

Phoenix PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
D. Booker 39 -1 3 7 2 0
D. Ayton 20 3 1 10 0 2
Atlanta PTS +/- AST REB ST BLK
T. Young 36 22 10 4 2 1
K. Huerter 23 21 8 15 1 0

Team Comparison

PHO ATL
Points For 110 123
Field Goals 40/87-46% 46/93-49%
Three Pointers 4/20-20% 14/31-45%
Free Throws 26/32-81% 17/20-85%
Offensive Rebounds 10 12
Defensive Rebounds 30 34
Rebounds 48 55
Blocks 6 10
Steals 9 3
Turnovers 11 15
Points Scored Off Turnovers 21 14
Points in the Paint 56 62
Fast Break Points 13 6
Personal Fouls 19 25
Technical Fouls 3 1
Flagrant Fouls 0 1
Ejections 1 0

2019-20 Reg Season - Series Tied 1-1

Date Result Away Pts Ldr Home Pts Ldr
Thu Nov 14 ATL 112 @ PHO 128 J. Parker 24 K. Oubre Jr. 30
Tue Jan 14 PHO 110 @ ATL 123 D. Booker 39 T. Young 36

Game Information

Stadium: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia
Attendance: 16,060
Game Time: 2:13