Youth movement powers Hawks past Suns, snaps 4-game skid

ATLANTA - Trae Young scored 21 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter and the Atlanta Hawks pulled away late to beat the Phoenix Suns 123-110 on Tuesday night. 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. Young got help from his backcourt partner. Kevin Huerter scored 23 points and set career highs with 15 rebounds and eight assists. 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. 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. Atlanta coach Lloyd Pierce said before the game 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.

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. Collins' late basket gave Atlanta an 84-83 advantage entering the final period. The Suns used strong defense to take the lead in the final period. Johnson's steal set up Mikal Bridges' basket for an 87-86 lead. Kelly Oubre's block of Huerter's shot set up a jam by Bridges to stretch the lead to three.

The Hawks now travel to San Antonio for a Friday night game with the Spurs.