Suns’ Marquese Chriss continues to swat the Hawks

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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