The Pacers came up just short again in preseason play, falling to the Hawks 119-117 in a game that stayed tight from start to finish. Indiana never trailed by more than 10, and the teams traded the lead 13 times in a back-and-forth night that also showed one glaring issue: Atlanta controlled the defensive glass and kept the Pacers off the offensive boards completely.
Indiana was without Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell.
Carlisle said before the game that Haliburton had a mild ankle injury, while there was no update on McConnell’s status. That opened the door for Indiana to test out different combinations, and the Pacers used the chance to see how several pieces functioned in new roles.
With Haliburton out, Indiana started Oubre in the five-man unit, and the offense clearly looked a little different. The pace didn’t grind to a halt, but the difference was there without two ball handlers steering the action.
Oubre still made the most of his chances. He hit 3 of 5 from deep, finished both of his two-point tries, and didn’t force the issue.
On the other end, his athleticism and switchability stood out, including a few matchups with Jalen Johnson where he held up despite giving up some size.
Nance also made his preseason appearance after Carlisle said Friday at practice that he had been able to participate and would likely play. In 12 minutes, his rebounding on the defensive end was the loudest part of his night.
He boxed out well, cleaned the glass, and on a few possessions pushed the ball up himself after securing the rebound. His best offensive sequence came late in the third quarter, when he caught a low-block mismatch on Kingston Flemings, absorbed the double team, and kicked it out to Toppin for a corner three.
Nance finished with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 points.
The Pacers also used the night to work Big Zu into the offense in a different way. With Haliburton sidelined, Indiana leaned into his size advantage against Onyeke Okongwu and fed him early.
That led to a foul on his first attempt, then a left-block hook shot on the next trip. He kept drawing contact after that, including another post foul and another 1-2 trip to the line.
When the starters came back in to open the second quarter, Indiana went right back to him. He also flashed as a playmaker, blocking an Aaron Wiggins layup before later connecting with teammates in the half court.
He scored off an Nembhard pass in the third, then later set up an Oubre three and finished another basket near the rim on an action with Nesmith.
There was plenty to like off the bench as well. Toppin stayed productive, finishing with 11 points on 5-8 shooting, including four dunks and a three. Walker added 10 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, and one of those assists was a full-court look from the logo that led to a Toppin alley-oop.
Even in defeat, the Pacers showed fight across the lineup against a strong defensive opponent.
In Other News...
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Tyrese Haliburtons night off in Atlanta was enough to stir some unease around the Pacers, even if the bigger picture still looks calm. He sat out Indianas preseason game against the Hawks because of a tweaked ankle, another reminder of how closely this teams fortunes are tied to its star guard after his recovery from the Achilles tear he suffered in the 2024-25 NBA Finals.
For a team built around Haliburtons pace, passing and shot-making, even a minor setback tends to draw attention. The ankle issue is being described as minor, but it arrives at a time when every preseason note about his health carries extra weight for Indiana, and it leaves fans watching closely as the Pacers try to get through October with their most important player staying on track. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Still Have The One Problem Fans Thought Was Fixed
The Pacers second preseason game offered a familiar sort of reminder, even in a tight 119-117 loss to the Hawks. Indiana came out with an early lead, then faded in the third quarter and never quite found its footing again, all while keeping the workload light and not playing anyone more than 20 minutes. For a team trying to use October to smooth out its edges, the result was less important than the way the game unfolded.
Even after bringing in Ivica Zubac to shore up the glass, the rebound battle still looked shaky against Atlanta. Indiana did plenty of things well enough to stay close, but the possession game told the louder story, and that is the part the Pacers cannot afford to ignore for long. Jarace Walker led Indiana with seven rebounds, a small bright spot in a loss that left one of last seasons lingering concerns still hanging around. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburton Just Became Indianas Biggest Question Again
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What makes this next stretch so important is not just whether Haliburton can suit up again, but how quickly he can look like himself after such a serious injury. His first game back offered some encouraging signs, with his passing and defense both standing out, yet the bigger question for Indiana is what comes next as he settles back into live NBA rhythm. For a Pacers team that has invested so much in him, the answer will shape far more than one return appearance. [Read more 🡒]