This one is going to sting for a bit. Atlanta went into Indiana and had real chances to take control, but a brutal second quarter flipped the entire night. The Hawks started well, defended with purpose, and looked organized early — then everything unraveled once Dyson Daniels picked up quick foul trouble. Two fouls without a second running off the clock, a third shortly after, and suddenly Pascal Siakam had the freedom to dictate the game.

Indiana made Atlanta pay immediately. Forty-five points in the second quarter is just too much to overcome on the road, no matter how well you respond later.

And to the Hawks’ credit, they did respond. They tied the game late in the third, kept clawing back after every Pacers run, and had multiple chances in the fourth to finally grab the lead. Jalen Johnson was everywhere — 33 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists — carrying the offense and keeping Atlanta within reach all night.

But the margin for error was thin, and one sequence summed it up. A missed runner, a strong defensive stop at the shot-clock buzzer… and then no rebound. Indiana gets a second chance, kicks it out, and Aaron Nesmith buries a corner three. Instead of momentum swinging, the deficit grows again.

That was the difference.

The Hawks didn’t lose this because of effort. They lost it because of focus and execution — exactly what Quin Snyder pointed to after the game. Too many possessions settled for jumpers instead of getting downhill, too many moments where defensive work wasn’t finished with a rebound.

There were positives. Johnson continues to look like a foundational piece. Nickeil Alexander-Walker gave solid scoring punch. Mouhamed Gueye’s hustle plays sparked runs. Zaccharie Risacher showed flashes that fit what the staff wants long-term.

But this was also another reminder of how unforgiving the NBA can be when details slip — especially on the road.

Atlanta heads to Miami next, and games like this make you wonder how many they’ll look back on later wishing they had closed differently.