Hawks deliver amazing fourth quarter comeback

Onyeka Okongwu (YouTube)

The Atlanta Hawks seemed completely done on Sunday night early in the fourth quarter as they were trailing the Phoenix Suns by a score of 103-81 with two minutes and seven seconds into the final stanza. Then, some how and some way, the Hawks dominated the final nine minutes and 46 seconds. They outscored the Suns 43-19 en route to a remarkable 124-122 win.

This was the second biggest comeback of the season in the NBA. The 22 point comeback was only behind the 24 point comeback by the Chicago Bulls on November 4. What was so special about the Hawks comeback, is that it was entirely in the fourth quarter. They simply did not have that much time on the clock.

In the Hawks’s win, all five starters reached double digits in points. Center Onyeka Okongwu of Los Angeles, California led the way with 27 points. Shooting guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker of Toronto, Ontario had 26 points, forwards Jalen Johnson of Wausau, Wisconsin had 25 points, 2024 first overall pick and small forward Zaccharie Risacher of Malaga, Spain had 15 points and guard Dyson Daniels of Bendigo, Australia had 11 points. Daniels and Johnson both had double doubles. Daniels had 12 assists, and Johnson had 10 rebounds. It was also an impressive game for Alexander-Walker as he was a +22.

With the win, the Hawks improved to a record of nine wins and five losses. They have now won five straight games, all against Wester Conference opponents. In addition to their win over the Suns, they have beaten the Los Angeles Lakers 122-102, the Los Angeles Clippers 105-102, the Sacramento Kings 133-100 and the Utah Jazz 132-122.