Suns’ Marquese Chriss continues to swat the Hawks

Mar 4, 2018, 4:03 PM | Updated: 4:15 pm

ArizonaSports.com lead editor

MARQUESE CHRISS!! 😮🖐️ #NBASundays #SUNSat50 pic.twitter.com/10CxSoYnpw

— NBA UK (@NBAUK) March 4, 2018

There hasn’t been consistency from second-year forward Marquese Chriss in 2017-18.

The Phoenix Suns lottery pick entered training camp out of shape, lost his starting job to fellow 2016 draftee Dragan Bender and has struggled to whittle out a bench role or a go-to service he can provide. But against the Hawks on Sunday, Chriss continued to play like a beast against Atlanta.

On Jan. 2, Chriss scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and added three assists and two blocks.

Sunday in Phoenix’s 113-112 loss to the Hawks, he needed just 18 minutes of playing time to score 17, grab five rebounds and swat four blocks — and they were impressive blocks at that.

Chriss’ best block came against athletic rookie big man John Collins, who attempted to put a poster dunk on Chriss in transition before the Suns’ forward met him at the apex of his leap.

Marquese Chriss decided to get John Collins before he got got. 🚫 pic.twitter.com/nDxOst73B8

— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) March 4, 2018

Chriss didn’t just bring it on the defensive end. He hit a season-high four threes and also was aggressive, going 3-of-6 from the foul stripe.

Marquese Chriss with a productive first half for the @Suns in ATL. pic.twitter.com/fqZclFufNu

— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) March 4, 2018

It wasn’t enough for the Suns. Neither were T.J. Warren’s 35 points or Elfrid Payton’s triple-double of 11 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds.

The Suns fell behind by a point on a Taurean Prince three with 7.6 seconds left, and Devin Booker’s look at a game-winning shot hit the back of the rim as time expired.

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Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) reacts as Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender walks toward the bench as an NBA basketball game comes to an end Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) reacts as Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (35) looks on as an NBA basketball game comes to an end Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Hawks forward Taurean Prince (12) shoots a winning three-point jump shot as the Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (35) defends during the final moments of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler (4) flexes his muscles after dunking near Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Phoenix Suns guard Elfrid Payton, right, shoots as Atlanta Hawks forward John Collins (20) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Phoenix Suns forward Dragan Bender (35) shoots as Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon (14) and forward John Collins defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Phoenix Suns center Tyson Chandler dunks against the Atlanta Hawks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren shoots while flanked by the defense of Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon, left, and forward Taurean Prince (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon dunks against the Phoenix Suns during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren (12) has a shot blocked by Atlanta Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon, left, as Hawks forwards Taurean Prince and John Collins, right, also defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Phoenix Suns forward TJ Warren (12) shoots with Atlanta Hawks forward Mike Muscala defending during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, March 4, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

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