The Indiana Pacers delivered a dominant performance on Friday night, dismantling the Atlanta Hawks 150-116, marking their sixth consecutive win. This high-scoring affair at Indianapolis saw the Pacers set a new franchise record with an astonishing 50 assists, a testament to their cohesive and unselfish play.
Tyrese Haliburton, leading the NBA with an average of 12.8 assists per game, was pivotal in this record-breaking achievement. Contributing 18 assists along with 10 points and eight rebounds in just over 25 minutes, Haliburton showcased his playmaking prowess. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle lauded the team’s unselfishness, noting the significance of setting an NBA and ABA franchise record.
Myles Turner emerged as the top scorer for Indiana with 27 points, demonstrating a solid partnership with Haliburton, especially in the pick-and-roll. Bennedict Mathurin (18 points), Bruce Brown (17 points), and Aaron Nesmith (15 points) also made significant contributions to the Pacers’ offensive onslaught.
Indiana, known as the NBA’s highest-scoring team, reached the 150-point mark against the Hawks for the second time this season, emphasizing their offensive potency. Coach Carlisle highlighted the team’s physicality and defensive discipline, which played a crucial role in this commanding victory.
The Hawks, on the other hand, struggled to find their rhythm. Dejounte Murray led Atlanta with 30 points, but star player Trae Young had a challenging night, managing only 13 points on 4-of-18 shooting, including a dismal 1-of-11 from the 3-point range.
The Pacers were exceptionally efficient in the first half, shooting 71% and establishing a commanding 78-54 lead at the break. Their overall shooting percentage of 64%, including 19 of 39 from beyond the arc, overwhelmed the Hawks, who managed just 43% shooting.
Atlanta’s coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the team’s underperformance, emphasizing the Pacers’ effective transition play and the lack of urgency from the Hawks. Atlanta’s defense struggled to contain the Pacers, allowing too many easy baskets and failing to match Indiana’s energy and execution.
The Pacers, currently riding a wave of high performance, will next face the Boston Celtics in back-to-back games, which coach Carlisle refers to as the “greatest test in basketball now.” Meanwhile, the Hawks will look to regroup as they head to Orlando for their next game on Sunday night. The Pacers’ record-setting night not only highlights their offensive capabilities but also sets a high bar for their upcoming encounters.
