INDIANAPOLIS — In an exciting matchup, Pascal Siakam hit a crucial 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, finishing the evening with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five assists, leading the Indiana Pacers to a 132-127 victory over the struggling Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
Andrew Nembhard contributed 19 points for the Pacers, who have now achieved three consecutive wins. Obi Toppin added 18 points and registered nine rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton chipped in with 17 points and nine assists, demonstrating the depth of the Indiana roster.
For the Hawks, Trae Young emerged as a standout performer, scoring 26 of his total 34 points during the second half, helping Atlanta recover from an 18-point deficit to regain the lead midway through the third quarter. He also delivered 17 assists throughout the match. Dyson Daniels made his mark as well, finishing with 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to snap Atlanta’s eight-game losing streak.
The game began with Indiana establishing themselves with a strong lead, but the Hawks gradually pulled themselves back into contention, even taking the lead in the third. The final quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging leads. Indiana took control after Siakam’s pivotal 3-pointer with 3:20 remaining in the game, igniting an 11-3 run.
**Takeaways**
The Hawks currently find themselves in a difficult stretch, but the team’s determination, led by Young, was evident as they fought doggedly against the rampaging Pacers.
On the flip side, the Pacers started the game with energy, nailing seven 3-pointers in the first quarter. However, they managed only five more in the succeeding three quarters and will need to develop a more consistent ability to finish games strongly if they aim to secure a favorable playoff position.
**Key Moment**
Siakam’s 3-pointer broke a 119-119 deadlock, and following that, Aaron Nesmith’s subsequent 3-pointer granted the Pacers a crucial 125-119 lead. While it didn’t guarantee victory, it provided Indiana with valuable breathing space with just under three minutes to play.
**Key Stat**
The Pacers committed only 11 turnovers during the game and benefited from a significant 15-5 advantage in points off those turnovers, highlighting their efficiency.
**Up Next**
Both teams will get back to action on Monday night, with Atlanta concluding a three-game road trip against Detroit, while Indiana will begin a four-game trip at Utah.
