The Atlanta Hawks secured a 124-118 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, ending a five-game losing streak against their Eastern Conference rival.
Trae Young recorded 22 points and 16 assists, while Onyeka Okongwu contributed 20 points and 13 rebounds to help Atlanta (29-34) remain in the eighth seed. Georges Niang added 24 points off the bench, scoring 12 in the fourth quarter, including a key layup with 1:07 left to put the Hawks up 116-109.
Indiana (35-26) was without Tyrese Haliburton, who missed the game due to a hip injury. Pascal Siakam stepped up in his absence, leading all scorers with 35 points. The Pacers entered the night having won five straight matchups against Atlanta dating back to the 2022-23 season.
Indiana built a 92-82 lead late in the third quarter, powered by an 11-0 run where Siakam hit three consecutive three-pointers. However, the Hawks responded with a dominant fourth quarter, outscoring the Pacers 38-24.
Niang’s back-to-back three-pointers midway through the final period put Atlanta ahead 107-102, a lead they never surrendered. The Hawks shot 12-of-18 from the field in the fourth, executing efficiently down the stretch.
Aaron Nesmith finished with 21 points for Indiana, while Andrew Nembhard posted 15 points and 10 assists. The Pacers also played without Bennedict Mathurin, who missed his fourth consecutive game due to a wrist injury.
Atlanta got a boost from its bench, with Niang and Terance Mann combining for 36 points. The win marked only the Hawks’ third victory in their last nine games.
