ATLANTA – The Indiana Pacers showcased their depth and offensive prowess, defeating the Atlanta Hawks 126-108 on Friday night. This victory marked Indiana’s third consecutive win over Atlanta this season, including their earlier high-scoring matchups.
Despite the absence of star player Tyrese Haliburton, who leads the NBA in assists, the Pacers demonstrated balanced scoring and impressive teamwork. Haliburton missed the game due to a strained left hamstring, but his teammates stepped up to fill the void.
Buddy Hield and Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 18 points each, while Bennedict Mathurin contributed 15 points. Indiana’s collective effort was evident, with eight players scoring in double figures. The Pacers also excelled in shooting, hitting a season-high 67.1% from the field, and dominated in rebounds.
T.J. McConnell’s season-high 14 assists were a significant part of Indiana’s 41 total assists, reflecting the team’s effective ball movement and offensive strategy. Andrew Nembhard, who scored 10 points and added seven assists, emphasized the team’s identity of having multiple players contribute to the scoring.
The Pacers’ ability to score in the paint was a key factor in their win, as they outscored the Hawks 76-48 in that area. Atlanta coach Quin Snyder acknowledged the team’s defensive struggles, particularly in guarding the basket.
Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 29 points, amidst NBA trade deadline rumors. Saddiq Bey and Jalen Johnson added 17 and 16 points, respectively. However, the Hawks’ star Trae Young, who is second in the All-Star voting among Eastern Conference guards, had a tough night with only 13 points on 4 of 17 shooting.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s collective spirit and understanding, noting the positive vibe among the group. He also recognized the defensive effort against Young, acknowledging the challenge of containing such a talented player.
In a unique occurrence, Young and Bogdan Bogdanovic both reached their 1,000th career 3-pointer in the same game, a first for NBA teammates.
After a closely contested first half, the Pacers pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring the Hawks 31-19 to create a significant lead.
The Pacers look forward to facing Denver on Sunday, while the Hawks will host Washington on Saturday night. The victory for Indiana highlights their resilience and depth, proving they can win big games even without key players like Haliburton.
