Royce O’Neale’s last-second heave just misses as Suns blow 22-point lead, fall to Hawks
Royce O'Neale had a last-second heave that nearly gave Phoenix the win, but the Suns fell to the Hawks after blowing a lead as large as 22.
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The Phoenix Suns got a taste of their own medicine as the Atlanta Hawks came back from down as much as 22 to win, 124-122, on Sunday.
Royce O’Neale had a three-quarters court heave at the buzzer that would’ve given Phoenix the win, but it was just off.
— HHTVids (@HHTVids) November 17, 2025
Devin Booker, who scored 13 of his 27 points in the fourth, jumped early on a jump ball with 4.2 seconds left as Phoenix trailed by one, and the free throw Nickeil Alexander-Walker hit afterwards set up O’Neale’s heave.
Alexander-Walker supplied a lot of the firepower late with 16 points over the final 8:21, including a technical free throw after a Dillon Brooks technical foul. Alexander-Walker was previously a thorn in Phoenix’s side in the 2024 playoff series where the Minnesota Timberwolves swept the Suns.
Atlanta outscored Phoenix 47-27 in the fourth quarter, outshooting it from deep, 4-for-8 to 1-for-4.
It was a tight contest for much of the first three quarters, with Phoenix ahead 76-75 with 4:20 left in the third.
Phoenix proceeded to go on a 27-8 run to build its biggest lead of the game, 22 points, at 103-81 with 9:53 to go. Brooks, who finished with 34 points and three shy of his career high, accounted for nine of the first 19 points in the stretch.
The loss snapped the Suns’ five-game win streak and was their second in the last eight games.
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Comments
8 Comments
Starters -76, bench +68. That's the story of the game. Coach Ott made a monumental blunder going back to his starters in the 4th. Jerry Sloan coaching 101--- you leave the players in the game who build you the lead. Brooks with that bench unit should've closed tonight's game.
Devin Booker in particular showing his true colors again. He's been too busy complaining to the refs and trash talking and not leading the team. Soon as he substitutes back in the Suns resort to hero ball with Booker trying to one-up Brooks instead of finding the open man. He totally blew this game in the clutch for the Suns with: bad shot selection (missed Mark under the basket for an easy dunk), stupid fouls (one on Dyson for a three point play), not getting a jump ball situation right, and calling for a replay at the wrong time. Point Book hasn't worked with three other coaches and it won't work under Coach Ott either.
I'm good thanks. It's a comment section, feel free to block me though.
we are like an 1/8th of the way into the season, both of you just need to shut your mouths lol.