Hawks Triumph Over Pacers with Dominant 128-108 Victory

On a chilling Halloween night in Indianapolis, the Atlanta Hawks soared to a commanding 128-108 victory over the Indiana Pacers, deepening the Pacers’ winless woes in the NBA Cup group stage. The echoes of the crowd could not drown out the drama on the hardwood, as the Hawks, unfazed by adversity, pulled away with a ruthless efficiency that left Indiana reeling. Jalen Johnson emerged as Atlanta’s hero, delivering a double-double masterpiece with 22 points and 13 rebounds, his energy setting the tone for the night. Not far behind, Nickeil Alexander-Walker erupted for 21 points, while Dyson Daniels added a decisive 18, each bucket a nail in the Pacers’ hopes. The Hawks, missing their four-time All-Star Trae Young due to a knee sprain, showed the depth and resilience of a team determined to rise above setbacks. For the Pacers, the night was another painful chapter in a season marred by injuries. Pascal Siakam’s 18 points and five assists and Jarace Walker’s 17-point spark were not enough to halt Indiana’s slide to 0-5. The team was haunted by the absence of key stars: Obi Toppin is sidelined for at least three months with a foot fracture, and two-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton is likely out for the season with a torn Achilles. The Pacers’ depleted roster, missing Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J. McConnell, simply could not match Atlanta’s relentless pace. The contest was tight through the first half, with Atlanta clinging to a 63-59 lead at the break. But the third quarter saw the Hawks unleash a blistering 34-17 run, including a 10-0 surge that stretched their advantage to 21. The Pacers, shooting a dismal 35.4% from the field compared to Atlanta’s red-hot 54.3%, watched as the game slipped from their grasp. Quenton Jackson’s 15 points provided a late spark, but the outcome was never truly in doubt. With this victory, the Hawks improve to 3-3, their spirits buoyed as they look ahead to a showdown with the Cavaliers. The Pacers, meanwhile, will search for answers—and for their first win—against the Warriors, the shadow of injuries looming large. The drama of the NBA Cup continues, and for Indiana, the quest for redemption is only just beginning. For full player stats and shot charts, visit the ESPN box score.