A crucial second-quarter collapse and costly fouls derailed Atlanta's momentum, allowing Indiana to seize control and secure victory.
A brief lapse in discipline proved costly for the Atlanta Hawks, who let a winnable game slip away during a decisive second-quarter stretch in a 129-124 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night.
The Hawks closed their season series against the Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with momentum early but could not recover after surrendering 45 points in the second quarter. Atlanta fell to 24-27, while Indiana continued a recent stretch of improved play despite a difficult season overall.
Atlanta opened the night with sharp energy and defensive focus, particularly from guard Dyson Daniels, who drew the initial assignment on Pascal Siakam. That balance unraveled quickly. Daniels picked up two fouls without a second of game time elapsing at the 9:27 mark of the second quarter, then a third foul less than a minute later. The foul trouble removed Atlanta’s primary defensive option and opened the floor for Siakam and Indiana’s offense.
The Pacers took advantage immediately, erupting for their highest-scoring half of the season. Indiana shot 58% from the field in the first half and buried 11 of 20 shots from 3-point range, building an 80-73 lead at the break behind Siakam and Andrew Nembhard.
Atlanta did not fold. The Hawks repeatedly chipped away and briefly regained control of the game’s rhythm. They tied the score late in the third quarter and kept the margin within one possession multiple times despite absorbing several Indiana runs.
Jalen Johnson anchored that push with one of the most complete performances of his season. The forward finished with 33 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, recording his eighth triple-double and keeping Atlanta within striking distance throughout the second half. Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 21 points and five assists, providing steady scoring even on a night when efficiency came and went.
The defining sequence arrived midway through the fourth quarter. Trailing for most of the half, Atlanta had a chance to take the lead after Johnson’s runner rolled off the rim. The Hawks recovered defensively and forced Nembhard into a contested 3 at the shot-clock buzzer. The stop nearly flipped momentum — until Atlanta failed to secure the defensive rebound. Indiana reset, swung the ball to Aaron Nesmith in the corner, and the wing drilled a 3 to push the lead back to four with just over four minutes remaining.
Indiana never relinquished control after that possession. Siakam sealed the outcome with a 12-foot jumper with 18.6 seconds left, capping a 25-point night on 11-of-15 shooting. Nembhard finished with 26 points and 10 assists, while Nesmith added 23.
For Atlanta, effort was not the issue. Execution was.
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder pointed to breakdowns that extended beyond the box score during the FanDuel Sports broadcast, focusing on offensive discipline and defensive focus.
“We weren’t committed to taking good shots. We weren’t committed to passing the ball,” Snyder said. “We had people open. It shows in our assist totals, and it shows in the fact that we got 28 threes. So when we play well, we’re getting in the lane and we’re kicking the ball out. When we play well, we’re running and we’re spacing offensively, and then on the defensive end, you know, we lose focus.”
Snyder also addressed Zaccharie Risacher’s return to the rotation, emphasizing process over immediate production.
“He did the things that we talked about before the game,” Snyder said. “He was aggressive, shooting the ball when he was open. His timing and his reads will get better, where he can drive. And he can drive in and keep his eyes out, keep his feet and find other people.”
The constant roster movement has required continual adjustment, something Snyder acknowledged when reflecting on the broader season context.
“We’ve been melding groups together the whole season,” Snyder said. “We’ve had different guys that are key players in and out of the lineup. Tonight, we didn’t have Onyeka Okongwu. We haven’t had KP. We haven’t had Trae. We haven’t had Jalen, Zacch. Every time you’re in those situations, there’s a subtle change. But I think that’s where the commitment to the group and how we want to play. That’s what acclimates everybody.”
Atlanta heads to South Beach next, facing the Miami Heat on Tuesday night as it looks to regain traction and tighten execution after another narrow loss.