Dejounte Murray scores 21 points, Hawks roll past Suns 132-100

PHOENIX (AP)— Trae Young rose up for a 3-pointer in the second half that lefthis hands way too hard, hurtling toward the basket before slammingoff the backboard and through the hoop.

Atlanta’sstar guard shrugged and ran back down the court with a sheepishgrin.

Things weregoing the Hawks way Wednesday night, leading to a blowout victory.Dejounte Murray scored 21 points, Young added 20 points and 12assists and Atlanta rolled past the Phoenix Suns 132-100.

The Hawks hadlost four of five games coming into Wednesday’s game, but playedmuch better on both ends of the floor.

“We wanted towin really bad and knew it had to start on the defensive end,”Murray said. “The defense took care of the offense.”

The Hawksnever trailed, jumping to a 9-4 lead with three 3-pointers. Atlantanever let up, pushing to a 102-67 advantage by the end of the thirdquarter and leading by 43 points in the fourth.

Just abouteveryone was hitting shots for the Hawks, who made 52 of 91 shots(57.1%), including 19 of 33 (57.6%) on 3-pointers. BogdanBogdanovic added 18 points off the bench.

“When you’regetting downhill, moving the ball, sharing the ball, things likethat can happen,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. “I thoughttonight we did a good job moving the ball and getting it to theopen man.”

Phoenix —with star guard Devin Booker close to returning from a groin injury— lost for just the second time in eight games. The Suns weresloppy with 16 turnovers that turned into 31 points for the Hawksand had a dismal shooting night, hitting just 4 of 28 (14.3%) shotsfrom 3-point range.

“They were alot faster then us especially in transition and we just couldn’tmake a shot for whatever reason,” Suns coach Monty Williamssaid.

Mikal Bridgesled the Suns with 23 points but shot just 6 of 18 from the field,including 1 of 7 on 3s. Deandre Ayton added 20 points and ninerebounds.

“It felt likewe were on a treadmill,” Ayton said. “It felt like we were hamstersrunning in one spot. The game was going too fast and we were makingsome points but not putting a dent into the lead.”

The Hawksused a 13-0 run early in the second quarter to take a 66-47 leadinto halftime. Murray led Atlanta with 15 points before the breakwhile Bridges had 17 for the Suns.

Phoenix shotjust 18 of 47 (38.5%) in the first half, including 2 of 16 (12.5%)from 3-point range.

SUNSSIGN LEE

The Sunsannounced Wednesday that they’ve signed guard Saben Lee for therest of the season.

Lee hasemerged as the team’s backup point guard over the last three weeksafter being signed to back-to-back 10-day contracts. He’s fillingin for Cam Payne, who remains out with a foot injury.

To make roomfor Lee on the roster, the Suns released Duane Washington Jr., whoplayed in 31 games this season, starting three. He averaged 7.9points, but shot just 36.7% from the field.

Lee had sixpoints, three assists, three steaks and three rebounds in 21minutes against the Hawks.

TIP-INS

Hawks: OnyekaOkongwu made all seven of his shots. He finished with 17 points.... Former Suns center Frank Kaminsky got a technical foul in thefourth quarter. ... Young reached 3,000 career assists.

Suns: Booker,Payne and G Landry Shamet (foot) were out. ... Hosted a 54thstraight sellout crowd.

UPNEXT

Hawks: AtUtah on Friday night.

Suns: AtBoston on Friday night.