Hawks vs Suns

The Phoenix Suns are entering a crucial stretch in their season, looking to build on their recent defensive improvements as they head into a five-game road trip. Their journey begins on Tuesday evening with a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. This game is particularly important for the Suns, who are aiming to continue their defensive momentum and secure their first victory in Atlanta since March 24, 2014. The teams recently met in Phoenix last Thursday, with the Suns coming out on top with a 123-115 win.

For Atlanta, the team will be well-rested coming into the game, having had a break since their last contest against Phoenix. That game marked the end of a six-game road trip for the Hawks. However, their scheduled matchup with the Houston Rockets on Saturday was postponed due to severe winter weather in the Atlanta area. The icy road conditions made it unsafe for players, fans, and staff to travel to the arena, forcing the postponement of the game. This unexpected break means that the Hawks will have had additional time to regroup before facing the Suns on Tuesday.

Phoenix has been on a roll recently, winning three consecutive games for the first time since their seven-game win streak earlier in the season. Their most recent victory came on Sunday against the Charlotte Hornets, where they triumphed 120-113. Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer attributed the win to his team’s commitment to defense. His comments emphasized the importance of consistency on both sides of the ball, especially defensively, as the Suns aim to continue executing their defensive strategies effectively.

"It’s always the challenge in this league—keeping up execution on both ends of the floor, digging in defensively, and finding ways to get stops," Budenholzer explained. "Finding ways to win games is crucial. I thought our defense stood out in the second half against Atlanta, and in the fourth quarter against Charlotte, our defense was key. We need to keep leaning into that, and I believe that will fuel our offense as well."

Atlanta head coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the defensive challenge that Phoenix posed in their previous encounter. He noted how the Suns were able to disrupt the Hawks’ offensive flow, particularly in their ability to collapse the paint during Atlanta’s drives to the basket. Snyder pointed out that his team struggled to create open shots and generate three-pointers in those situations. 

"The Suns really collapsed on our penetration," Snyder stated. "We got a little stagnant at times, and it was clear because we weren’t able to get as many open threes or create opportunities from the perimeter. They played great defense and made it difficult for us to execute offensively."

Adding to Atlanta’s frustrations was the Suns' ability to convert late in the shot clock, particularly through the efforts of their star players. Despite Atlanta's defense forcing Phoenix to work deep into their possessions, veteran players like Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devin Booker proved to be too much for the Hawks. Even when Atlanta felt they were playing solid defense, the Suns’ stars found ways to create scoring opportunities in tight situations, a fact that was not lost on Snyder.

"You can play excellent defense on a possession, and yet players like Beal, Booker, and KD can still create their own shots," Snyder said. "Sometimes, it feels like you’ve done everything right defensively, only to see them make tough pull-up shots. Those are the moments that make the other possessions even more critical. You can't afford to allow second-chance opportunities."

The trio of Durant, Booker, and Beal continues to be one of the most formidable scoring groups in the NBA. Durant is currently averaging 27.1 points per game, while Booker is contributing 24.9 points per game, and Beal is adding 17.7 points per game. These three players have been key to the Suns’ recent success, with Booker scoring 30 points and Durant adding 27 points in their recent win against Charlotte. Beal had 25 points in the Suns' last game against the Hawks, and his consistent production has been particularly problematic for Atlanta. Over the course of 36 matchups against the Hawks, Beal has averaged 21.6 points per game, making him a significant scoring threat for the Suns.

In addition to these star players, the Suns are also keeping a close eye on the status of Grayson Allen. The shooting guard has been dealing with a sore left knee for much of the season, and his availability for Tuesday's game is uncertain. Allen is listed as probable for the contest, but he did not play in the second half of the Charlotte game after contributing a season-high 23 points against the Hawks in their previous meeting. His potential absence could impact the Suns’ depth, but they are hopeful that their established starters will continue to lead them.

On the other side, the Hawks will once again be without their second-leading scorer, Jalen Johnson. The forward is missing his fourth straight game due to a shoulder injury, which has forced Atlanta to rely more heavily on their star player, Trae Young. Over the course of the Hawks’ recent six-game road trip, Young has been playing at an exceptionally high level, averaging 27.0 points, 11.5 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.0 steal per game. His ability to both score and facilitate for his teammates has kept the Hawks competitive, and his offensive load has only increased in Johnson’s absence.

Young is also on the verge of a significant milestone. He is just two field goals away from passing Al Horford for the 10th-most field goals made in franchise history. Young currently has 3,542 field goals made, and with two more makes, he will surpass Horford's total of 3,544. However, Young is listed as questionable for the game against the Suns due to illness, which could pose a challenge for Atlanta if he is unable to play.

The Hawks’ reliance on Young highlights the team’s need for additional scoring contributions from other players, especially in Johnson’s continued absence. His injury has left a void that Atlanta has struggled to fill, leading to even greater pressure on Young to deliver night in and night out. Nonetheless, the team will look to other players, such as De'Andre Hunter and Clint Capela, to step up in the scoring department, particularly with the Suns’ defensive prowess making it difficult for opposing teams to generate easy baskets.

As both teams prepare for the upcoming contest, it is clear that the matchup will feature two teams with contrasting styles. The Suns are looking to extend their defensive success and continue their winning streak, while the Hawks will be hoping for a strong performance from Young and a return to form on the defensive end. With the stakes high for both teams, Tuesday’s game promises to be an exciting and competitive affair, as the Suns look to continue their road success and the Hawks aim to make a statement on their home court.

In summary, the Phoenix Suns have been hitting their stride recently, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, and will look to carry that momentum into their road trip. Their victory over Atlanta last week, as well as their recent win over Charlotte, has shown that they are capable of winning tough games. Atlanta, meanwhile, will be hoping that the return of their star player, Trae Young, and the continued development of their young players can help them get back on track. With the Suns looking to continue their dominance on the defensive end and the Hawks eager to make a statement on home turf, Tuesday’s game promises to be a thrilling matchup with significant implications for both teams’ seasons.