Phoenix Suns falter in 4th quarter again, fall to Atlanta Hawks

Kevin Durant's game-high 35 points wasn't enough to lift the Phoenix Suns (28-21), as they lost, 129-120, at the Atlanta Hawks (21-27) on Friday.

That snaps Phoenix's two-game win streak and extends Atlanta's string of victories to three.

Devin Booker had 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists, and Bradley Beal added 14 points and his season-high 10 assists in the loss.

Atlanta's Trae Young had his team-high 32 points and game-high 15 assists. His backcourt mate Dejounte Murray contributed 22 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and a steal.

The first three quarters closed on a tight margin, but the Suns' fourth quarter woes crept in once again as the Hawks began the period on a 15-1 run.

Suns coach Frank Vogel went to his small-ball lineup putting Durant at the five-spot, added Eric Gordon (six points, three rebounds, one steal, one assist) with the other starters Booker, Beal, and Grayson Allen (12 points, four assists, two blocks, one steal) as the Suns were down by seven at 4:15 left to play. But the strategy for more 3-point shooting to get back in the game didn't work.

Suns committed eight of their 17 total turnovers in the fourth, and the Hawks scored 12 off those eight. That statistic added to the Suns' ranking as the NBA's 29th at turnovers committed in the fourth, and 30th in opponent points scored off turnovers in the closing period.

The Suns play the last game of their seven-game road trip at the Washington Wizards on Sunday.

Booker gets hot but Hawks keep lead in 3rd quarter

Phoenix trailed Atlanta, 100-95 at the end of the third, the largest margin in the tight period.

Devin Booker scored 13 of his 24 points in the third, and has been shooting 50% the whole game. He had five assists and three rebounds as well.

The Hawks' Trae Young still has the game-high 25 points to edge Booker.

Atlanta's bench has more than doubled the Phoenix reserves' scoring, 39-17, through the first three quarters.

Hawks maintain lead, but Suns hang close

The Hawks maintained a slight 66-63 lead at halftime, as Kevin Durant picked up his game and leads the Suns with 16 points, and Devin Booker has 11.

Hawks guard Trae Young leads all scorers with 17 points.

Bradley Beal has nine points and game-high seven assists, and had a scare early in the second when he got hit in the nose on a drive to the hole. He was treated by the Suns medical staff, and returned to the game shortly thereafter.

Atlanta gained its largest lead 11 near two minutes left in the half until Phoenix made an 11-3 run thereafter.

Suns' Big 3 on solid start, Hawks lead after 1st

Phoenix trailed Atlanta, 33-30, to close the first period.

The Suns' Big 3 in Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Jusuf Nurkic drove the offense in the first. Nurkic had eight points, including scoring the team's first six. Booker has the team-high nine points, and Durant has six.

Atlanta's Trae Young has the team-high 11, including three 3s.

Starting lineups

The Suns are starting Devin Booker, Bradley Beal at guard spots. Grayson Allen is returning to the wing after missing their win at Brooklyn from an ankle injury, Kevin Durant at the four, and Jusuf Nurkic in the middle.

The Hawks will open with former All-Star guards Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, forwards Saddiq Bey and Jalen Johnson, and center Clint Capela.

Suns' Bol in

Bol Bol (foot) has been upgraded to available for Phoenix.

The Hawks' De'Andre Hunter (right knee injury management), Mouhamed Gueye (right low back stress fracture), and Vit Krejci (left shoulder subluxation) are ruled out.

Injury updates: Bol likely back for Suns

Bol Bol (foot) was listed as probable to play on Phoenix's pregame injury report. Even though he dressed for the team's win at Brooklyn on Wednesday, Bol didn't see any action, and missed the previous nine games.

After not getting much playing time for most of the season's first two months, Bol emerged as one of the Suns top reserves who averaged 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and shot nearly 78% in 16.5 minutes through four games between New Year's Day and Jan. 11.

The other Suns player listed out against Atlanta is Damion Lee (right meniscus surgery), who's missed the entire season thus far.

Hawks players on the injury report include De'Andre Hunter (questionable, right knee), Mouhamed Gueye (out, lower back), and Vit Krejci (out, left shoulder).

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Suns falter in 4th quarter, lose to Hawks