Game Recap: Oso Ighodaro keeps shining, but the Summer Suns can’t get out of their own way in 98-80 loss

Turnovers, fatigue, and cold shooting doomed Phoenix after a promising start.

The Phoenix Suns dropped their first game of Summer League on Sunday afternoon, falling to the Atlanta Hawks 98–80 despite another strong showing from Oso Ighodaro. The second-year big man posted 18 points and 9 rebounds, continuing to flash the polish and poise that made him a standout in game one. But he also committed 5 turnovers, part of a broader issue for the Suns that proved costly.

For those hoping to catch a glimpse of Ryan Dunn, Khaman Maluach, or Rasheer Fleming, the disappointment hit early. All three were ruled out ahead of tip-off.

Atlanta’s first-round pick Asa Newell impressed, going 7-of-9 from the field for 18 points and 11 rebounds. The Hawks had four starters in double figures, dominating the interior and outmuscling Phoenix on the boards 46–34. The second-chance points told the story: Atlanta had 14 to Phoenix’s 4, and outscored the Suns 40–26 in the paint.

Koby Brea came out strong again, scoring 15 points, but cooled off in the second half, going just 2-of-9 after starting 4-of-5. Yuri Collins chipped in 12 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds, bringing steady energy, but Phoenix’s 17 turnovers and stagnant half-court offense allowed the Hawks to take control.

One bright spot? The Suns pushed the pace effectively, winning the fastbreak battle 22–10. But overall, this was a game where missed opportunities and poor rebounding sank any chance at staying undefeated. Oh well, it’s the Summer League.

Game Flow

First Half

The Summer Suns came out blazing, hitting five of their first seven shots to open the game, sparked by four quick points each from backcourt duo Yuri Collins and Khalif Battle.

Defensively, the energy was just as evident. The Suns were disruptive, clogging passing lanes, diving for loose balls, and making life uncomfortable for the Kings early. Coupled with a clear emphasis on pace and transition, it feels like we’re beginning to see the early fingerprints of the institutional shift Brian Gregory promised. A new identity, forged in effort and tempo.

But the Suns’ hot start quickly fizzled. The offense lost its rhythm, finishing the first quarter just 2-of-10 from the field after that early burst. Atlanta took full advantage, closing the quarter on a dominant 13-0 run.

After one, the energy had shifted. Hawks 30, Suns 17.

The Suns opened the second quarter with a spirited 9–2 run, sparked by renewed energy and sharper execution. Oso Ighodaro chipped in four of those points, helping Phoenix trim the deficit and inject some life back into the game.

Koby Brea continued to turn heads with an offensive game that’s quickly proving to be more than just spot-up shooting. He wasn’t merely catching and firing. He was attacking defenders, fading away under pressure, curling off screens, and navigating tight space with polished footwork. In a clunky first half where the Suns coughed up the ball 12 times, Brea stood out as the clear bright spot, scoring 8 points on an efficient 4-of-5 from the field (none from deep) while adding 4 rebounds.

But as the half wore on, the Suns fell into a familiar Summer League trap: guards over-dribbling, hunting highlight stats instead of flowing with the offense. Movement stalled. The Hawks made them pay, racking up 4 blocks in the first half alone and halting Phoenix’s momentum.

Still, Phoenix showed signs of life in the second quarter, outscoring Atlanta 19–18 and closing the gap. At halftime, the Hawks led 48–36.

Second Half

The Hawks returned the favor to open the third, ripping off a 9–2 run that ballooned the lead back to 19. The Suns’ defense wasn’t just a step slow; it looked stuck in mud. Late rotations, sluggish switches, and delayed reactions let Atlanta dictate the pace and pick apart the gaps.

But then came a pulse.

Phoenix answered with a 12–0 run of their own, sparked by Oso Ighodaro. Still without a reliable jumper, what he lacks in shooting, he makes up for with feel. His basketball IQ was on full display, anchoring the defense, making smart cuts, and playing with purpose. He started imposing himself more physically, using his athleticism to disrupt Atlanta’s rhythm.

With Ighodaro and Koby Brea catching a breather late in the quarter, rookie Alex Schumacher stepped up. The Seattle product gave the Suns a jolt off the bench, scoring six quick points, capped by a buzzer-beating bucket to close the frame.

Phoenix poured in 30 points in the third while holding the Hawks to 24, trimming the deficit to just six.

End of three: Atlanta 72, Phoenix 66.

Koby Brea and Oso Ighodaro are quietly building something. There’s a rhythm between them, a two-man game that’s starting to hum with purpose. Oso initiates, putting the ball on the floor, probing the defense, and more often than not, he’s looking for Brea.

Sometimes it ends with a clean perimeter look for Brea, who’s proven he doesn’t need much space to let it fly. Other times, it’s a quick give-and-go, with Brea zipping it back to Oso for an easy finish inside. It’s early, but it’s the kind of chemistry you don’t fake. It’s instinctual. And it’s something the Suns can build on.

The three-pointers stopped falling for Phoenix in the fourth quarter. Despite generating clean looks, the shots just wouldn’t drop. The Suns went 2-of-9 from deep in the final frame, and the momentum they had clawed back in the third evaporated.

Atlanta took full advantage, pulling away with a 26–14 fourth quarter and sealing an 18-point win, 98–80. The Suns had their chances, but the shooting went cold, the turnovers piled up, and the Hawks closed the door with authority.

Up Next

The summer rolls along as the Summer Suns play the Summer Kings tomorrow at 7:00pm.

On their roster? Maxime Raynaud, a name Suns fans should remember. He was one of the prospects we studied closely leading up to the NBA Draft, ultimately taken 42nd overall, just one pick after Koby Brea. Joining him is the Kings’ first-rounder Nique Clifford, selected 24th overall. Both are expected to get significant run in Summer League as Sacramento evaluates how their youth fits into the broader vision.

We shall see you then, Bright Siders.

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