Pacers drop preseason opener to Hawks, 131-130

ATLANTA – The Indiana Pacers dropped their first preseason game of the year to the Atlanta Hawks thanks to a late three-pointer from Seth Lundy.

Lundy’s make came just before time expired in the fourth quarter. The Hawks trailed 130 to 128 when they got an offensive rebound off an intentionally missed free throw from David Roddy.

Lundy sank the contested shot with 0.3 seconds left, giving Atlanta the 131-130 win.

The Pacers led by five at halftime, and the game was a back-and-forth affair throughout the second half. Atlanta led 99-98 entering the fourth quarter.

Indiana’s starters played the first half before coach Rick Carlisle leaned on the second unit and bench the rest of the way.

Six Pacers players finished with double-digit scoring: Pascal Siakam (15), Quenton Jackson (13), Cole Swider (12), Obi Toppin (11), Andrew Nembhard (10) and TJ McConnell (10).

Starting center Myles Turner (right knee contusion) and reserve center Isaiah Jackson (right hamstring strain) sat out with injuries. Rookie Johnny Furphy (left ankle sprain) also missed the game.

Tuesday’s matchup marked the NBA preseason debut of Atlanta’s Zaccharie Risacher, the top pick in this year’s draft. He came off the bench and finished with 18 points, three rebounds and a pair of assists in 23 minutes.

The Pacers play at Cleveland on Thursday in the second of four preseason games. They’ll host Memphis (Oct. 14) and Charlotte (Oct. 17) to round out their preseason slate.

They open the regular season on Oct. 23 in a road game against Detroit. Their first regular-season home game is Oct. 27 against Philadelphia.

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