PHOENIX — The Phoenix Suns couldn’t hold a 22-point fourth-quarter lead and fell to the Atlanta Hawks 124-122 on Sunday.
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Nov 16, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) shoots from mid-range to score against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Phoenix led 103-81 with 9:53 remaining before Atlanta went on a 23-4 run to cut the deficit to one. The Hawks took the lead with 54.7 seconds left on a Nickeil Alexander-Walker layup and never relinquished it. Atlanta outscored Phoenix 47-27 in the final quarter.
While the team has been without several starters, it wasn’t an excuse many fans were willing to accept after the way the Suns played in the final minutes.
50 points in the 4th is insane 😡😡 and we were winning by 20 going into the 4th!! pic.twitter.com/QIAWgrvmLS
— Inspiration with Lucas (@LucasBryner3) November 17, 2025
I just know Ott cause needs some honey and tea after he done selling his vocal cords on Book and Dillon for that disastrous 4th quarter
— Jack (@Jack04574289) November 17, 2025
allowing FORTY SEVEN POINTS in the 4th lmaooo AND blowing a 20 pt lead. yall beat yall selves
— Ash ☆ (@hunnidalts) November 17, 2025
Worst L of the year. 22 point lead in the 4th and completely got complacent. Learning experience. Can’t let it happen again.
— roy (@roymccoy22) November 17, 2025
Nov 16, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) leaps and shoots the ball as Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) watches on during the second half of a game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
Phoenix committed 10 fouls in the fourth quarter and allowed the Hawks to go 11-of-13 from the free-throw line. Atlanta also shot 64% from the field on 25 attempts in the period, according to PHNX Suns’ Stephen PridGeon-Garner.
Suns’ Dillon Brooks had 34 points and Devin Booker had 27 points in the loss.
After a strong stretch that included a five-game winning streak, the Suns now face a significant test. With several players still sidelined and the league’s toughest remaining schedule ahead, Phoenix will need sharper focus to navigate the challenges to come.
Nov 16, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7) drives against the Phoenix Suns during the second half of play at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
“So much that goes on in-game,” head coach Jordan Ott said post-game, according to PHNX Suns. “Obviously, some of it comes down to shot-making. Forty-seven points in the fourth, anyone can look at that and know that’s probably not a recipe for success any night.”
Sunday’s collapse may serve as a lesson for the Suns as they continue to navigate key injuries and tougher opponents on the horizon. It will be up to them to decide whether they treat it as a wake-up call before it spirals into something much bigger.
Nov 16, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) watches the ball bounce along the floor during an inbound pass in the second half of a game against the Atlanta Hawks at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
The Suns are set to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 9 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
