Hawks guard Seth Lundy knocked down a 3-pointer with 0.3 seconds to go after Atlanta's Dominick Barlow grabbed an offensive rebound on a missed free throw by David Roddy, giving the Hawks four points on the game's final possession to steal a 131-130 win over the Pacers in preseason action on Tuesday in Atlanta.
All-Star power forward Pascal Siakam scored 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting including 3 of 4 from 3-point range in 16 first-half minutes. Guard Andrew Nembhard scored 10 points on 4 of 7 shooting. Point guard Tyrese Haliburton scored eight points with a pair of 3-pointers and center James Wiseman added eight points on 4 of 4 shooting starting in relief of the injured Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson. However, the Pacers starters did not appear at all in the second half while the Hawks used theirs early in the third quarter.
Backup point guard T.J. McConnell scored 10 points on 4 of 4 shooting and added three assists in just 12 minutes of work. Forward Obi Toppin added 11 including a tip-dunk on 5 of 7 shooting. Guard Quenton Jackson, who returns on a two-way contract, scored 13 points on 5 of 6 shooting including a highlight reel tip dunk. Forward Cole Swider, battling for the last spot on the roster, scored 12 points with a pair of 3-pointers.
Jalen Johnson led the Hawks with 19 points and 10 rebounds. No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher scored 18 points on 7 of 9 shooting.
Area of concern: How the Pacers can improve their defense and why it's the key to the season
If this game mattered, the Pacers would be heartbroken. They held a three-point lead heading into the game's final possession and fouled swingman David Roddy with approximately six seconds on the clock. Roddy made the first but missed the second and Dominick Barlow tipped a rebound out to big man Mouhamed Gueye, who tossed it off to Seth Lundy for a 3-pointer from the right elbow with 0.3 seconds to go. The Pacers called timeout but an attempt to get a tip in around the rim didn't work and the Pacers took a defeat from their first preseason game.
But of course, preseason games don't matter and the Pacers used none of their starters and one member of their second-unit -- second-year guard Ben Sheppard -- in the fourth quarter. Several of the players who were on the floor in the fourth will get more minutes this season with the Mad Ants than they will the Pacers.
Still, some of the players who were used in the fourth had some decent moments to help build a case for themselves for whatever situation they happen to be vying for. Swider grabbed five rebounds in the fourth period and six for the game while making 4 of 10 field goals and 2 of 6 3-pointers, showing willingness to shoot and range. Kendall Brown turned the ball over twice but had a pair of steals and two buckets. Enrique Freeman showed some energy and Quenton Jackson showed a lot of athleticism. Two-way guard Tristen Newton had some shaky moments but also had three steals and two assists and scored four of his six points at the line, showing he can continue to draw fouls. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle got every available player on the floor, which is of course the point.
The third quarter was a reminder that this is the preseason and different coaches are looking for different things when the results don't matter.
While the Hawks kept their starting five on the floor to start the third quarter, the Pacers used their second unit. When their second unit guys got into foul trouble or got worn out, the Pacers didn't bring starters back but instead dug deeper into their bench even using two players on two-way contracts, signaling that the evening is over for their first five and even some of the most frequently used reserves.
Despite digging so deep, the Pacers hung in there at least on offense. They were only outscored by six and shot 12 of 21 from the floor in the period, posting 1.28 points per possession. However, defense was a problem, not only when they had to try to stop Trae Young but also later in the period when they were tasked with slowing down No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher. Young scored eight points in the quarter, Risacher scored seven and the Hawks shot 14 of 18 from the floor and 11 of 15 at the line to score 41 points, a gaudy 1.39 per possession.
There were some bright spots in the period. Obi Toppin scored seven points on 3 of 4 shooting in the period. Guard Quenton Jackson, one of the two-way players, had another highlight reel moment on a tip dunk after throwing one down on the break during Fan Jam on Sunday. Jackson scored seven points on 3 of 3 shooting in the period, adding a 3-pointer, and also dished out three assists.
Just as they did in the first quarter, the Pacers got out to an excellent start with an 11-0 run to take the lead back, but just as in the first quarter the Hawks answered and the Pacers had stretches of cold shooting and shaky defense.
This time they still have a lead at the half as they made 13 of 22 second-quarter shots to enter the break shooting 25 of 45 (55.6%). From outside they've struggled, making just 7 of 22 3-point attempts, but they have 34 points in the paint and have also found some consistency in the mid-range. They're at a healthy 1.19 points per possession at the break.
Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers with 15 first-half points on 6 of 8 shooting including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. His spin moves in the mid-range and his operation the mid-post is deadly as usual and he's also been sharp passing the ball with four assists. Andrew Nembhard has 10 points on 4 of 7 shooting and has yet again been slippery off the dribble to create space for himself for floaters and pull-ups in the mid-range. All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton hasn't been perfect but he has a pair of 3-pointers and eight points on 3 of 7 shooting plus four assists, including a highlight reel no-look behind-the-back pass to Siakam in transition.
Also James Wiseman has made the most of his start with eight points on 4 of 4 shooting and four rebounds. He's got size and touch around the rim, and without the pressure of being a franchise pillar, it seems like he can bring plenty of value.
There have been defensive lapses. Jalen Johnson has 15 points for the Hawks who are shooting 22 of 49 from the floor and have 30 points in the paint.
The Pacers scored at least 150 points in three of the four games they played against the Hawks last season and early in the first they seemed poised to run over them in much the same way. In the first six minutes of the game they took a 22-5 lead, making nine of their first 13 shots and posting 1.52 points per possession.
However, the Pacers went cold after that point, making three of their last 10 shots and allowing the Hawks to outscore them 30-9 from that point forward to the end of the quarter. The Pacers' second unit checked in late and all at once and never seemed to find a rhythm in their first few minutes while the Hawks found theirs. The Pacers' subs were -13 when they were on the floor. The Pacers finished 12 of 23 from the floor and 3 of 14 from 3-point range in the first quarter while the Hawks were 12 of 20 and 5 of 8.
Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam scored eight points each in the first quarter. James Wiseman had six points on 3 of 3 shooting.
The Pacers' starting five is as follows:
PG -- Tyrese Haliburton
SG -- Andrew Nembhard
SF -- Aaron Nesmith
PF -- Pascal Siakam
C -- James Wiseman.
The Atlanta Hawks are starting the following.
PG -- Trae Young
SG -- Dyson Daniels
SF -- DeAndre Hunter
PF -- Jalen Johnson
C -- Clint Capela
Pacers centers Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson will both miss Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. preseason opener against the Hawks in Atlanta with injuries according to the injury report posted on the Pacers' social media accounts . Rookie wing Johnny Furphy is also out.
According to the report Turner, who scored 13 points in Sunday's Fan Jam scrimmage, is dealing with a mild right knee contusion. Jackson, who did not participate, has a right hamstring strain. Furphy, who also did not participate, has a sprained left ankle.
Turner, the Pacers all-time leading shot-blocker, has started every game he's appeared in since the 2017-18 season and is coming off a season in which he averaged 17.1 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Jackson took over the backup center job in the playoffs last season from Jalen Smith and enters this season holding the second string spot. With both out, the Pacers will have to be creative at the 5. Free agent signee James Wiseman is one option and he scored eight points in eight minutes in Fan Jam on Sunday but he has been dealing with a groin issue. Power forward Obi Toppin got some minutes at the 5 in smaller lineups in the playoffs and will likely get minutes there on Tuesday. Starting power forward Pascal Siakam could also potentially get some work as a center if the Pacers want a smaller starting five. The other option is rookie Enrique Freeman, who has a two-way contract.
7:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
TV : NBA TV
Radio : 93.5, 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Mark Boyle (play-by-play)
Tue., Oct. 8, at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Thur., Oct. 10, at Cleveland, 7 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 14, vs. Memphis, 7 p.m.
Thur., Oct. 17, vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.
October
Wed., Oct. 23, at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 25, at New York (ESPN), 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 27, vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m.
Mon., Oct. 28, at Orlando, 7 p.m.
Wed., Oct. 30, vs. Boston, 7 p.m., ESPN
November
Fri., Nov. 1, at New Orleans, 8 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 4, at Dallas, 9:45 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 6, vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 8, at Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 10, vs. New York, 5 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 13, at Orlando, 7 p.m.
*-Fri., Nov. 15, vs. Miami, 7 p.m.
Sun., Nov. 17, vs. Miami, 5 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 18, at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 20, at Houston, 8 p.m.
*-Fri., Nov. 22, at Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Sun., Nov. 24, vs. Washington, 5 p.m.
Mon., Nov. 25, vs. New Orleans, 7 p.m.
Wed., Nov. 27, vs. Portland, 7 p.m.
*-Fri., Nov. 29, vs. Detroit, 8 p.m.
December
Sun., Dec. 1, at Memphis, 3:30 p.m.
*-Tue., Dec. 3, at Toronto, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 4, at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 6, at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 8, vs. Charlotte, 5 p.m.
Dec. 10, 11, 14, 17 : NBA Cup knockout rounds
Dec. 12, 13, 15, 16 : regular-season games
Thur., Dec. 19, at Phoenix, 9 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 22, at Sacramento, 6 p.m.
Mon., Dec. 23, at Golden State, 10 p.m.
Thur., Dec. 26, vs. Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.
Fri., Dec. 27, at Boston, 7:30 p.m.
Sun., Dec. 29, at Boston, 6 p.m.
Tue., Dec. 31, vs. Milwaukee, 3 p.m.
January
Thur., Jan. 2, at Miami, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 4, vs. Phoenix, 7 p.m.
Mon., Jan. 6, at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m.
Wed., Jan. 8, vs. Chicago, 7 p.m.
Fri., Jan. 10, vs. Golden State, 7 p.m.
Sun., Jan. 12, at Cleveland, 6 p.m.
Tue., Jan. 14, vs. Cleveland, 7 p.m., TNT
Thur., Jan. 16, at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Sat., Jan. 18, vs. Philadelphia, 5 p.m.
Thur., Jan. 23, vs. San Antonio (in Paris), 2 p.m., NBA TV
Sat., Jan. 25, at San Antonio (in Paris), noon, ESPN
Wed., Jan. 29, vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.
February
Sat., Feb. 1, vs. Atlanta, 5 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 3, at Utah, 9 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 4, at Portland, 10 p.m.
Thur., Feb. 6, at L.A. Clippers, 10:30 p.m.
Sat., Feb. 8, at L.A. Lakers, 4 p.m.
Tue., Feb. 11, New York, 7:30 p.m., TNT
Wed., Feb. 12, at Washington, 7 p.m.
Thur., Feb. 20, vs. Memphis, 7 p.m.
Sun., Feb. 23, vs. L.A. Clippers, 5 p.m.
Mon., Feb. 24, vs. Denver, 7 p.m.
Wed., Feb. 26, vs. Toronto, 7 p.m.
Fri., Feb. 28, at Miami, 8 p.m.
March
Sun., March 2, vs. Chicago, 5 p.m.
Tue., March 4, vs. Houston, 7 p.m.
Thur., March 6, at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., March 8, at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m.
Mon., March 10, at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Tue., March 11, vs. Milwaukee 7 p.m., TNT
Fri., March 14, at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Sat., March 15, at Milwaukee, 8 p.m.
Mon., March 17, at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Wed., March 19, vs. Dallas, 7 p.m.
Thur., March 20, vs. Brooklyn, 7 p.m., NBA TV
Sat., March 22, vs. Brooklyn, 5 p.m.
Mon., March 24, vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m.
Wed., March 26, vs. L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
Thur., March 27, at Washington, 7 p.m.
Sat., March 29, at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m.
Mon., March 31, vs. Sacramento, 7 p.m.
April
Wed., April 2, vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.
Fri., April 4, vs. Utah, 7 p.m.
Sun., April 6, at Denver, 8 p.m.
Tue., April 8, vs. Washington, 7 p.m.
Thur., April 10, vs. Cleveland, 7 p.m., TNT
Fri., April 11, vs. Orlando, 7 p.m.
Sun., April 13, at Cleveland, 1 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Pacers lose preseason opener on buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Hawks' Seth Lundy
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