Atlanta Hawks 108, Indiana Pacers 104 — Recap

📰Game Recap

The Atlanta Hawks held off a late surge by the Indiana Pacers to secure a 108-104 victory, largely on the strength of a dominant first-half performance led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Atlanta established an early advantage, outscoring Indiana 37-29 in the opening quarter and extending their lead with a 31-27 second quarter, entering halftime with a comfortable 12-point cushion. Alexander-Walker was instrumental in building the Hawks' early lead, finishing the game with a game-high 34 points, complemented by four rebounds and four assists. His perimeter shooting was particularly impactful, converting nine of his 25 attempts from beyond the arc.

Despite Atlanta's strong start, the Pacers mounted a determined comeback effort in the second half. Indiana outscored the Hawks 23-19 in the third quarter, chipping away at the deficit, and continued their push with a 25-21 advantage in the final period. The Pacers' balanced scoring attack kept the pressure on Atlanta, narrowing the gap down the stretch. Jay Huff led the Pacers' charge with 22 points and eight rebounds, supported by Quenton Jackson, who added 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Braden Smith contributed a double-double with 19 points and 10 assists, alongside four rebounds, while Kobe Brown chipped in 16 points and six rebounds, including two three-pointers.

Ultimately, the Hawks' significant first-half lead proved just enough to withstand Indiana's resilient effort. Alexander-Walker's prolific scoring allowed Atlanta to maintain control, even as the Pacers found their offensive rhythm late in the game. The analytical model from SportsFBI had predicted an Atlanta victory with 71% certainty, aligning with the final result.