The Atlanta Hawks will be without Trae Young for Friday’s NBA Cup matchup against the Indiana Pacers due to a right knee sprain. Nikola Djurisic and Eli John Ndiaye remain out on G League assignments.
Young has averaged 17.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 7.8 assists in five games this season, leading the Hawks’ backcourt while Kristaps Porzingis and Jalen Johnson anchor the frontcourt.
Indiana faces a heavily depleted roster, with Tyrese Haliburton sidelined with a right Achilles tendon tear. Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell are also out due to injuries.
Johnny Furphy and Taelon Peter are listed as questionable, while Kam Jones and Bennedict Mathurin remain sidelined with lower back and toe issues, respectively. The Pacers have yet to secure a win this season, sitting 0-4.
Mathurin has been the Pacers’ leading scorer with 14.3 points per game, while Pascal Siakam contributes 14.3 points and 8.8 rebounds, even with Indiana’s early-season struggles. Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker provide frontcourt depth but are unavailable for Friday.
The Hawks enter the game 2-3, coming off a win over Brooklyn, with Onyeka Okongwu posting 14 rebounds and Jalen Johnson scoring 23 points. Kristaps Porzingis added 7 assists in the last outing.
Both teams will look to improve their early-season records, with the Hawks aiming to recover to .500 and the Pacers seeking their first win. Game time is set for 7:00 PM ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
