Hawks rally from 22 down in 4th quarter, beat Suns 124-122 for 5th straight win

PHOENIX (AP) — Onyeka Okongwu had 27 points and the Atlanta Hawks overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter to stun the Phoenix Suns 124-122 on Sunday night.

Atlanta won its fifth straight and ended Phoenix’s winning streak at five. The Hawks finished 4-0 on a western trip.

Nickell Alexander-Walker had 26 points for Atlanta, making the first of two free throws with three seconds to go. Royce O’Neale rebounded the miss on the second one his shot from beyond halfcourt bounced off the rim.

Josh Johnson had 25 points and 10 rebounds, and Dyson Daniels 11 points and 12 assists for the Hawks, who won without All-Star guard Trae Young (right knee sprain) and center Kristaps Porzingis (right knee soreness).

Dillon Brooks had 34 points for Phoenix. Devin Booker added 27, and Colin Gillespie had 15 points, and team highs with nine rebounds and eight assists.

The Suns were without Grayson Allen (right quadriceps contusion) and Jalen Green, who will miss at least four more weeks because of a strained right hamstring.

Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher scored 15 points before leaving the game in the fourth quarter after an awkward fall following a dunk. He was down for several minutes before walking off under his own power. The team said after the game had had a left hip contusion.

The Suns trailed most of the first half. Atlanta led by 13 before Phoenix closed the half on a 21-7 run to lead 58-57 at the break.

Brooks scored 16 points in the third quarter, and the Suns scored the final 15 points in the period to open up a 95-77 lead.

Hawks: Host Detroit on Tuesday night.

Suns: At Portland on Tuesday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks struggles for a loose ball with Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu, center, gets double teamed by Phoenix Suns center Mark William, left, and Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) reacts after losing to the Atlanta Hawks at the end of the second half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Atlanta Hawks guard Vit Krejci (27) celebrates hitting a 3-pointer against Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Atlanta won 124-122. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (1) and Dyson Daniels, right, celebrate comeback win against Phoenix Suns during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Phoenix, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. Atlanta won 124-122. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The midterms are here.

The 2026 campaign kicked off Tuesday with high-profile primary elections in Texas, where Republican Sen. John Cornyn is heading toward a runoff vote against state attorney general Ken Paxton. Democrats chose state Rep. James Talarico over U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett to be their candidate.

For all the focus on Texas, elections in North Carolina could have a bigger impact on which party ultimately wins the Senate majority in the fall.

In the first election since President Donald Trump joined Israel in launching dramatic attacks on Iran, there were also contests in Arkansas.

Here are some takeaways from Tuesday night.

By rallying behind Talarico, the party sided with someone who pledged to change Washington while finding consensus.

The 36-year-old state representative’s win over Crockett cements his status as a rising star and will likely make him one of Democrats' most prominent candidates this year. He campaigned with denunciations of “politics as a blood sport” and an insistence that people want “a return to more timeless values of sincerity and honesty and compassion and respect.”

That was in contrast to Crockett, who gained national fame with her fiery style and unabashed antagonism of Trump and other Republicans.

Indeed, the biggest differences between Talarico and Crockett largely hinged on style rather than policy.

Crockett argued that Democrats need to focus on energizing their base, betting that motivated voters in metropolises like Houston and Dallas could swamp Republicans. Talarico’s campaign, meanwhile, took a more expansive approach, often highlighting his faith in ways that could appeal beyond diehard Democrats.

That style is why many Republicans are worried about Talarico’s candidacy. Though a Democrat hasn’t won a statewide race in Texas since 1994, Talarico’s campaign could prove potent depending on who emerges from the Republican runoff.

Cornyn and Paxton will keep fighting for the Republican nomination through a May 26 runoff.

For Cornyn, the results keep alive his hopes of remaining in the Senate. But it’s still a sign of vulnerability that he couldn't win the race outright.

Although Cornyn has expressed occasional skepticism of Trump, he has been a reliable ally to the president. Paxton, however, claimed he was more aligned with Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, pulling away support that may have otherwise gone to Cornyn.

Trump didn’t endorse either candidate during the primary, but the results may raise pressure on him to take a side. Republicans in Washington have expressed concern that Paxton, who has well-documented political baggage, may be a weaker candidate in the general election.

Regardless of what happens, expect more cash to be pumped into the race. Cornyn and well-funded allied groups spent at least $64 million in television advertising alone since July.

While the race goes on, one person will be missing: Wesley Hunt. The congressman was a late entry into what had been a head-on contest between Cornyn and Paxton. His presence in the race further divided Republicans, making the runoff harder to avoid.

In two major Texas counties — Dallas and Williamson — there was significant confusion over where voters could cast their ballot. For years, they could vote anywhere in the county. But for this primary, the local Republican parties opted against countywide voting.

With state law mandating that both parties have to agree to use the countywide system, voters could only vote at their assigned precinct — forcing many to figure out where exactly that was.

Things quickly turned messy, with lawsuits, changes to voting hours and Democrats calling foul. Crockett called the rule change an “effort to suppress the vote.” Talarico’s campaign said it was “deeply concerned.”

Political parties run their own primaries in Texas, meaning a repeat of Tuesday’s confusion is unlikely to repeat in November.

But this isn’t happening in a vacuum. Texas is central to Trump’s redistricting effort to protect Republicans' narrow majority in the House.

The party has also pushed legislation that would impose strict new proof-of-citizenship requirements. The bill is a long shot in the Senate but serves as another reminder of Republican efforts to change election rules heading into November.

In addition, any raw feelings could complicate Democrats' chances later this year. Crockett's campaign has said she'll sue over voting problems, and her accusations of voter suppression are important in a state where Black voters are central to any Democratic candidate's success.

If Talarico has a shot, he will likely need Crockett’s help in encouraging her disappointed supporters to back him.

One of this year’s marquee Senate contests was practically a done deal heading into Tuesday.

Democrat Roy Cooper will face Republican Michael Whatley in a race that’s critical to deciding control of the Senate in November.

Both parties have reason to feel confident about their chances in the general election.

For Democrats, Cooper is an ideal candidate in one of the most politically competitive states. A former two-term governor, he has proved that he can win statewide elections.

Republicans, meanwhile, are going into the campaign with a candidate who is backed by Trump, an endorsement that could help energize voters during an otherwise challenging year. And as the former chair of the Republican National Committee, Whatley is familiar with party resources and how they can be deployed during a tough campaign.

Still, each candidate must overcome notable challenges. While Democrats like Cooper have been successful in races for governor, they’ve struggled in Senate contests. Whatley will also need to make inroads with moderate or independent voters that may not view Trump's endorsement as a reason to turn out in November. Trump is the reason this is an open Senate contest in the first place. His disagreements with the incumbent Republican, Thom Tillis, prompted the two-term senator to decide against reelection.

Get ready for what could be a messy race to November — one where spending could hit $1 billion.

Texas state Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, greets supporters at a primary election watch party Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

A supporter raises their hat at an election night primary watch party for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, speaks during a primary election night watch party Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

North Carolina Republican Senate candidate former RNC Chairman Michael Whatley speaks at a primary election night watch party Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco)

North Carolina Democratic Senate candidate former Gov. Roy Cooper speaks at a primary election night watch party Tuesday, March 3, 2026, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Ramey)

Cataleya Davis holds a poster promoting primary candidate for U.S. Senate Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, during a campaign stop in Dallas, Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Supporters of James Talarico, a Texas Democratic primary candidate for U.S. Senate, cheer during an event, Sunday, March 1, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. (AP Photo/Brenda Bazán)

Kalpesh Patel and his 12-year-old daughter Keya pose for a photo with Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, during a campaign stop in The Woodlands, Texas, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Keya recently completed a project on Cornyn for her seventh grade Texas history class. (AP Photo/Annie Mulligan)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, greets supporters during a campaign stop, in Waco, Texas, Monday, March 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)