ATLANTA — The game wasn’t out of place.
It counts on the record — and Suns coach Monty Williams isn’t skirting the details of their 116-107 loss to Atlanta starting out being outscored, 59-35, as the Hawks gobbled up 20 offensive rebounds.
“That was the game,” Williams said.
The Suns did more than play a game Thursday in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,003 at State Farm Arena.
They went through an emotional run losing Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, with Jae Crowder, in a trade late Wednesday night, and Dario Saric in another Thursday before the 1 p.m. trade deadline, but got superstar Kevin Durant, TJ Warren, who started his career in Phoenix, and Darius Bazley in return.
Williams doesn’t give his players byes, but he doesn’t beat them for losing either.
“After the day we had, I just congratulated them for sticking with it,” Williams said.
Here are five takeaways from a crazy Thursday that ended with the Suns losing (30-27) for the ninth consecutive time against the Atlanta Hawks (28-28). The Suns lost last week by 32 points to Atlanta at home.
Back to back
Williams had regular starters Deandre Ayton and Chris Paul in the game with less than three minutes left with the Suns down 17 points and knowing they will play Friday at Indiana in the second of a straight streak.
Down 18 with 3:47 left in the third, the Suns cut that deficit to nine with 7:40 left in the fourth.
“It’s like, let’s try to get it,” Williams said.
The Suns were still down nine with 5:36 left after Ayton hooked Paul’s assist, but Atlanta went 13-5 to open the game, 112-95 with 2:34 left. TO DO.
Game over.
Shorthanded
The Suns entered the game with just nine players available as they not only traded Bridges, Johnson and Saric, but Devin Booker (groin injury management), Cameron Payne (foot) and Landry Shamet (foot) were out. while Warren, Durant and Bazley were not there.
The exchanges became official on Thursday evening. Also, Durant isn’t expected to return from an MCL sprain until the All-Star break.
Could see Warren and Bazley miss Friday’s game and see their first action for the Suns on Valentine’s Day against Oklahoma City. With Super Bowl LVII being Sunday in Glendale, Phoenix has three days between Friday’s game and Tuesday’s game.
The Suns could use that time to set up Durant, Warren and Bazley. With Warren playing his first five seasons in Phoenix, he knows the city.
23 and 2 — and tears shed
Ayton was clearly hurt seeing Bridges and Johnson traded – and for good reason.
He and Bridges entered together as rookies in 2018 and Johnson joined them the following year.
“I cried a lot already,” he said after the game. “Once I know my guys, the Twins are good. I’m back in business.”
The Suns were up nearly 3 a.m. early Thursday in the hotel hallway to chat.
Yes, it’s a business, but Ayton may have felt the loss of Johnson and Bridges more than anyone on the team.
It’s understandable if his head wasn’t completely there, but he scored 23 points on 10 of 15 shooting.
But he only grabbed two rebounds in 30 minutes. That’s after posting 30 and 15 consecutive games for his first two career games with those numbers.
Dealing with feelings isn’t easy, but as Williams said after the game, Ayton gets “10 in his sleep.”
There should have been more than two.
Numbers
Top scorers: Trae Young (Hawks) 36 points, Josh Okogie (Suns) 25 points (off the bench).
High of the season: Ish Wainright (Suns) 17 points.
Worst plus-minus: Damion Lee (Suns) -22, Paul (Suns) -19.
Stowage: Clink Capela (Hawks) 17 rebounds (8 offensive).
Biggest lead: Hawks 20, Suns 2.
Grade A Trade
The Suns had to put bridges in there to get Durant.
With the way he’s been playing in recent weeks, Bridges has become even more appetizing.
Losing Johnson and Bridges is huge. Giving up four first-round picks and a pick trade is also significant, but they haven’t given up a superstar for one of the greatest to do so who is averaging 29.7 this season.
This alone gives the trade an A grade, but it is also a winning trade now.
Win it all now or don’t just wonder why you failed Durant, but be without draft picks that could be used to lure young talent or trade for talent.
Ayton praised new team owner Mat Ishbia and president of basketball operations James Jones for making it possible. There’s only one thing left for the Suns to do.
“We have to finish the job,” Ayton said.
Do you have an opinion on the current state of the Suns? Contact Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 5 takeaways from Thursday’s trade deadline ending with Suns loss to Hawks
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