Atlanta Hawks vs Indiana Pacers: Hawks Escape with 119-117 Road Win

The Atlanta Hawks opened their 2026-27 NBA regular season campaign with a thrilling 119-117 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 11, 2026. In a game that featured 14 lead changes and nine ties, the Hawks relied on clutch shot-making from Trae Young and a timely defensive stand in the final seconds to secure the win.

Young finished with a game-high 32 points and 11 assists, while Jalen Johnson added 24 points and nine rebounds. The Pacers were led by Tyrese Haliburton's 28-point, 12-assist double-double, but Indiana couldn't convert on its final possession.

Match Overview

Both teams came out firing, with the Pacers jumping to an early 10-point lead behind Pascal Siakam's aggressive drives. The Hawks responded with a 12-2 run of their own, capped by a Dyson Daniels corner three. The first quarter ended with Indiana ahead 34-31.

The second quarter was a back-and-forth affair, as the teams traded baskets. Atlanta's bench, led by Onyeka Okongwu and De'Andre Hunter, provided a spark. A Trae Young floater at the buzzer gave the Hawks a 62-60 halftime lead.

Indiana came out strong in the third, using a 9-0 run to take an 81-73 lead. But Atlanta weathered the storm, closing the quarter on a 15-6 run to tie the game at 88-88 heading into the fourth.

Key Moments

The final quarter was a heavyweight bout. With 2:30 remaining, the Pacers led 112-108 after a Bennedict Mathurin three-pointer. Atlanta then executed a perfect sequence: Jalen Johnson hit a corner three, Dyson Daniels stole the ensuing inbounds pass and dunked to give the Hawks a 113-112 lead.

After Haliburton answered with a step-back jumper, Young drilled a contested step-back three with 18 seconds left to put Atlanta up 118-117. Haliburton's potential game-winner rimmed out, and Okongwu iced the game with a free throw.

• Trae Young: 32 points, 11 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 steals
• Jalen Johnson: 24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists
• Dyson Daniels: 16 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
• Onyeka Okongwu: 14 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Tyrese Haliburton: 28 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds
• Pascal Siakam: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists

Tactical Story

Atlanta's offense revolved around the Young-Okongwu pick-and-roll, which repeatedly exploited Indiana's drop coverage. Young's ability to turn the corner and either pull up or find Okongwu on the roll created easy baskets. The Hawks also took advantage of Indiana's aggressive help defense, generating 28 assists on 42 made field goals.

Defensively, Atlanta switched to a 2-3 zone in the fourth quarter, which disrupted the Pacers' rhythm. Indiana settled for contested three-pointers and shot just 4-of-14 from deep in the final period. The Hawks also won the turnover battle 12-18, converting those miscues into 22 points.

Season Impact

The win moves Atlanta to 1-0 on the young season, while Indiana drops to 0-1. It's a strong road statement for a Hawks team looking to climb the Eastern Conference standings. The Pacers, meanwhile, will look to clean up their late-game execution before their next matchup.

Atlanta continues its road trip against the New York Knicks on October 13, while Indiana returns home to face the Chicago Bulls on October 12.