Hawks Rally Late to Put Away Pacers in Weather-Shifted Showdown
In a game that tipped off earlier than expected due to severe weather across metro Atlanta, the Hawks shook off a sluggish start and stormed back to beat the Pacers, 132-116. It wasn’t always pretty, but when this Atlanta team locks in, they can flip a game on its head fast-and that’s exactly what they did.
With Zaccharie Risacher still inching toward a return, Corey Kispert once again got the nod in the starting lineup. Early on, though, the Hawks looked out of rhythm. They coughed up a pair of pick-2s-those backbreaking turnovers that turn into easy buckets the other way-and found themselves down 18-11 in the blink of an eye.
But things began to shift after the first timeout. Dyson Daniels got things rolling with a slick dish to Jalen Johnson for a strong finish at the rim. Not long after, Daniels found CJ McCollum, who set up a thunderous tomahawk from “The Great Barrier Thief”-a momentum-swinging play that brought the crowd to life and gave the Hawks some needed juice.
Still, Atlanta trailed 38-34 after one.
The second quarter was a mixed bag. Defensively, the Hawks struggled to stay attached, losing track of cutters and getting beat off the dribble.
The Pacers took advantage, stretching the lead to 11. But Christian Koloko stepped up in a big way.
He swatted a pair of shots, including one emphatic block that sent a clear message: Atlanta wasn’t going away quietly.
That energy translated to the offensive end, where CJ McCollum caught fire. He was in his bag, hitting from deep and midrange with equal ease.
By halftime, the Hawks had trimmed the deficit to just four, trailing 64-60. McCollum led all scorers with 17 points off the bench, shooting a scorching 6-for-8 from the field and 5-for-6 from beyond the arc.
The third quarter started rough. Indiana opened with a 17-8 run, capped by a Pascal Siakam three that pushed the lead to 81-68. The Hawks were teetering, and it looked like they might let one slip against a Pacers team that’s been struggling in the standings.
But then came the turnaround.
Luke Kennard sparked it. First, he drilled back-to-back threes.
Then, he executed a smooth give-and-cut play that turned into an easy finish. That stretch ignited a massive 25-7 run to close the third quarter, flipping the script and giving Atlanta a 95-92 lead heading into the fourth.
And they weren’t done yet.
The Hawks opened the final frame with a 17-0 burst, stretching the lead to double digits. Kennard capped it with another triple, the exclamation point on a run that completely changed the tone of the game.
But give Indiana credit-they didn’t fold. The Pacers answered with a 6-0 spurt of their own, keeping things interesting down the stretch.
Still, Atlanta had found its rhythm. They tightened up defensively, moved the ball with purpose, and closed the game with the kind of poise you want to see in late January. Fittingly, they iced the win as the city outside was being salted for ice of a different kind.
Final score: 132-116, Hawks.
Dyson Daniels was a standout, finishing with 22 points and nine assists-including his first made three since mid-December. CJ McCollum and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each chipped in 20, as Atlanta’s backcourt depth once again proved to be a major weapon.
This was one of those games where the Hawks had to dig deep. They didn’t have their full roster, they didn’t start strong, and they faced a team that came ready to play. But in the end, they showed what they’re capable of when the ball moves, the defense tightens, and the energy is right.
A gritty, team-driven win-and one that might carry some momentum into the next stretch of the season.