The Atlanta Hawks didn’t just win — they rewrote the script. Down by 22 points with just under 10 minutes left, trailing 81-103, the Hawks pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in recent NBA history, defeating the Phoenix Suns 124-122 on Sunday night, November 16, 2025, at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona. And they did it without their two biggest stars. No Trae Young. No Kristaps Porzingis. Just grit, guts, and a fourth quarter that felt like a movie script.
When the Game Was Already Over
By the time the third quarter ended, the Suns were cruising. Dillon Brooks had dropped 16 points in the period alone. The Suns scored the final 15 points of the quarter to build a 95-77 lead. Fans were already heading for the exits. The Phoenix Suns had won five straight. Their offense was clicking. Their defense was suffocating. This wasn’t just a win — it felt like a statement. But in the NBA, games aren’t over until the final buzzer. And the Hawks? They treat deficits like challenges.The Comeback That Defied Logic
The fourth quarter wasn’t just a rally — it was a demolition of expectation. Atlanta outscored Phoenix 47-27. Onyeka Okongwu, the Hawks’ 23-year-old center, became the engine. He scored 27 points, including a 27-foot three-pointer with 6:52 left — a shot that didn’t just cut the lead, it shook the building. Nickell Alexander-Walker added 26, including the game’s most critical sequence: two free throws with three seconds left. He made the first to put Atlanta up 123-122. The second? It missed. But Royce O’Neale fought through three defenders for the rebound. No time left for the Suns to set up. Devin Booker launched a half-court heave. It clanged off the rim. It was chaos. Beautiful, controlled chaos.Who Carried the Load?
With Young sidelined by a right knee sprain and Porzingis out with soreness, Atlanta’s depth was tested — and passed. Josh Johnson posted a double-double: 25 points, 10 rebounds. Dyson Daniels orchestrated with 12 assists. Vit Krejčí nailed a 29-foot bomb off an Alexander-Walker assist. Even Mikal Bridges (listed as M. Williams in play-by-play) got his 11-foot hook shot in, but it wasn’t enough. Phoenix’s offense? Still lethal. Dillon Brooks led all scorers with 34 points. Devin Booker added 27. Colin Gillespie nearly had a triple-double: 15 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists. But their defense vanished in the final 10 minutes. They stopped rotating. Stopped communicating. Stopped caring.
What This Means for Both Teams
For the Hawks, this isn’t just a win. It’s a declaration. They’re not just surviving without their stars — they’re thriving. Their bench scored 68 points. That’s not luck. That’s culture. Coach Nate McMillan has built a team that plays with a relentless identity. If this is what they look like without Young and Porzingis, imagine them healthy. For the Suns? This is a gut punch. They led by 22 points. They had the game in their hands. And they let it slip — one of the worst collapses in franchise history. The mental toll could be worse than the loss. This isn’t just about missed defensive rotations. It’s about belief. When you’re up 22 in the fourth, you’re supposed to close. They didn’t. And now, questions are swirling.What’s Next?
The Hawks (9-5) will return home to face the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night, November 18, 2025. They’re riding a five-game win streak and have just completed a perfect 4-0 road trip through the West. That’s not just impressive — it’s rare. The Suns (8-6) head to Portland, Oregon to play the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on the same night. Their five-game win streak is gone. Their momentum? Suspended. They’ll need to answer quickly — or risk losing control of their playoff positioning.
Historical Context: Where This Stands
The Hawks’ 22-point comeback is the largest in the NBA since the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a 23-point deficit against the Denver Nuggets in 2023. Only six teams in the last 20 years have rallied from 20+ down in the fourth quarter to win. The Hawks are now one of them. And here’s the kicker: they did it on the road, against a team that had won five straight, without their All-Stars, and in front of 17,071 fans who thought they’d seen the end of the game. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.Frequently Asked Questions
How rare is a 22-point fourth-quarter comeback in the NBA?
Only six teams in the last 20 years have overcome a 20+ point deficit in the fourth quarter to win. The Hawks’ 22-point rally against the Suns is the largest since the 2023 Clippers-Nuggets game. In the past decade, such comebacks occur roughly once every 18 months — making this one of the most statistically improbable wins in modern NBA history.
What impact does this have on Atlanta’s playoff chances?
This win proves the Hawks aren’t just a two-man team. Without Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis, they still beat a top-8 Western Conference team on the road. That depth makes them dangerous in the playoffs. If their role players can replicate this level of performance, Atlanta could sneak into the top four in the East — even with injuries.
Why did the Suns collapse so badly in the fourth quarter?
Phoenix’s defense went silent. They stopped rotating on screens, left shooters open, and lost focus after building a 22-point lead. Analysts point to complacency — a common issue when teams feel they’ve "won" the game early. Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks kept shooting, but the supporting cast stopped moving without the ball. It wasn’t just one mistake — it was a full-system failure.
Who was the unsung hero of the Hawks’ comeback?
While Okongwu and Alexander-Walker got the headlines, Royce O’Neale’s defensive intensity and clutch rebounding were vital. He had only 7 points, but his putback off Alexander-Walker’s missed free throw preserved the lead. His hustle plays — three steals, five deflections — disrupted Phoenix’s rhythm in the final minutes. He didn’t score much, but he made the difference when it mattered most.
How does this affect Trae Young’s return timeline?
Young’s right knee sprain is currently listed as day-to-day, but the Hawks’ success without him may lead to extra caution. The team won’t rush him back — especially after seeing how well their depth played. He’s expected to return no earlier than November 22, when Atlanta hosts the Milwaukee Bucks. The front office says his health is "non-negotiable," even if the team keeps winning.
Did officiating play a role in the outcome?
No. The three referees — Justin Van Duyne, Brian Forte, and Jenna Reneau — had a clean game. There were no controversial calls in the final two minutes. The Hawks drew 28 free throws to Phoenix’s 22, but that reflected their aggressive drives, not biased officiating. The outcome was decided by execution, not whistle calls.