The Indiana Pacers held off the Atlanta Hawks 132-127 in a fast-paced matchup on Saturday night. Pascal Siakam’s late three-pointer helped Indiana secure its third straight win and improve to 27-20 on the season.
Siakam finished with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, stepping up when the Pacers needed him most. His clutch three-pointer broke a 119-119 tie and ignited an 11-3 run that put Indiana in control down the stretch.
Andrew Nembhard contributed 19 points, while Obi Toppin added 18 points and nine rebounds. Tyrese Haliburton recorded 17 points and nine assists, helping Indiana maintain its offensive rhythm despite a strong push from Atlanta.
Trae Young led the Hawks with 34 points and 17 assists, scoring 26 in the second half as Atlanta erased an 18-point deficit. Dyson Daniels provided 23 points, but the Hawks’ late effort fell short as they dropped their eighth straight game.
The Pacers started hot, drilling seven three-pointers in the first quarter and jumping out to a 40-24 lead. However, the Hawks responded with a 40-point second quarter, cutting Indiana’s halftime lead to four.
Atlanta took its first lead midway through the third quarter, fueled by Young’s scoring explosion. Both teams traded baskets in the fourth before Siakam’s three-pointer gave Indiana a cushion with 3:20 remaining.
Aaron Nesmith followed Siakam’s shot with another three-pointer, extending the Pacers’ lead to six. Atlanta fought to close the gap, but Indiana maintained control by converting free throws and limiting turnovers.
Despite struggling from deep after the first quarter, the Pacers shot 54.4% from the field and capitalized on Atlanta’s mistakes. Indiana committed just 11 turnovers while forcing 12, leading to a 15-5 advantage in points off turnovers.
Zaccharie Risacher had 17 points and five rebounds for the Hawks, while Onyeka Okongwu chipped in 12 points and 11 rebounds. Garrison Mathews provided a spark off the bench with 14 points, including three three-pointers.
The Hawks, now 22-27, remain in a downward spiral despite Young’s efforts. Their lack of defensive consistency has cost them games, and the losing streak has put pressure on the team to find solutions quickly.
