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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
ATLANTA (AP) -- Penny Hardaway was hoping Kevin Johnson would
make his return to the NBA on the Phoenix Suns' four-game road
trip. They didn't need him Thursday night.
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KJ's return still on hold
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Kevin Johnson's return to the NBA is still on
hold.
Johnson sat out the Suns' win over the Hawks with a groin injury and said he will miss the team's next game, at Detroit on Friday.
"It's just part of getting in shape," Johnson, who has been
out of the league for two years. "I want to make sure I can really contribute. We have
things clicking right now."
Johnson, 34, said he hopes to practice Saturday. Phoenix plays
at Minnesota on Sunday.
Phoenix signed Johnson, the club's career assists leader, to a
$165,000 contract March 25, a day after Jason Kidd broke his ankle
in a game.
The Suns are 2-2 since losing Kidd, who was averaging a
league-high 10.1 assists.
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"He gives us new energy, because he was definitely the star on
this team just five or six years ago," Hardaway said after Phoenix
dealt the Atlanta Hawks a record-tying 118-74 defeat. "We
understand what he's going to bring -- fan support from around the
country. This team really hasn't gained an identity yet."
Rodney Rogers scored 21 points in 17 minutes to complement
Hardaway's 11 assists as Phoenix improved to 2-2 since league
assists leader Jason Kidd went out with a broken ankle.
Johnson, who retired two years ago, signed to replace Kidd last
week, but has yet to play. He sat on the Phoenix bench Thursday
with a groin injury.
The 44-point gap tied Atlanta's record for worst home loss, set
when the Hawks lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 134-90 in 1972. The
franchise's worst loss ever is a 132-85 defeat at Philadelphia in
1982.
"I've never had a loss like that," said Hawks coach Lenny Wilkens, whose team dropped to 2-34 when outshot from the field. "After the first quarter, we just fell apart. We totally got out of sync. We played a horrible game. It was the worst I've ever seen."
Jason Terry and Jim Jackson led the Hawks, who have lost 15 of 19, with 11 points apiece.
"I think everyone here can see they are making mistakes,"
Hawks forward LaPhonso Ellis said. "It's easy to point a finger at
others, but no one deserves to have a finger point at him. And no
one is in a position to point a finger at anyone else."
Phoenix outscored the Hawks 70-32 in the paint and got 14 points
from Cliff Robinson and 13 from Don MacLean. Randy Livingston
chipped in with nine points, five assists and three steals -- and
zero turnovers.
Hardaway led a transition game that outscored Atlanta 24-2 in
fastbreak opportunities.
"Livingston is working really hard," Hardaway said. "Me and
him have to carry the role at the guard spot right now. When
(Johnson) comes in, it will help both of us."
The Suns trailed 18-10 before going on a 52-18 run that ended
with a layup by Rogers 5.5 seconds before halftime. Phoenix led by
as many 47 points in the second half.
Phoenix picked up it second-highest victory margin this season.
It beat the Los Angeles Clippers 114-68 on Feb. 2.
"We needed a game like this, especially after the Miami game
where we didn't play particularly well in the first half,"
Livingston said, referring to Phoenix's 81-78 loss at Miami on
Tuesday.
Game notes
Rogers, a leading candidate for the NBA's Sixth Man Award,
was 8-for-11 from the field, including 3-for-4 on 3-point attempts.
... The Suns have won 11 of 15 against the Hawks. ... Terry had six
assists and six turnovers in the first quarter.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Phoenix Clubhouse
Atlanta Clubhouse
RECAPS
Phoenix 118
Atlanta 74
Miami 105
Chicago 80
New Jersey 107
Toronto 103
Minnesota 122
Houston 90
San Antonio 102
Golden State 90
Portland 96
Dallas 85
Milwaukee 104
LA Clippers 85
AUDIO/VIDEO
 KJ is hoping he'll be ready to play soon.
wav: 89 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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