Hawks execute down the stretch to defeat Pacers, 120-118

A win aided by a Siakam mental lapse.

The Atlanta Hawks were in action on Saturday evening to take on the Indiana Pacers. The two teams just saw each other two days ago, and the Hawks were able to get the win then, 124-118. The Pacers were without Tyrese Haliburton in that game, and he was out once again for the second matchup as well.

The Hawks got off to a fast start as they led by as much as 10 points early in the quarter, and it was mostly thanks to Trae Young who had 11 points in four minutes.

Caris LeVert came into the game and immediately made an impact on the game, knocking down a few three-pointers and increasing the Hawks’ lead.

Things just kept getting better for the Hawks throughout the quarter, and they led the Pacers by as much as 18 points. Young did a lot of scoring, but he was able to find his teammates for open looks, including this one to LeVert.

Going into the second quarter, the Hawks led the Pacers 39-19. They kept it rolling, even despite a small run from the Pacers to cut down their deficit. Young continued his strong game and pulled a three-pointer from deep.

Georges Niang found Onyeka Okongwu for this easy shot in the paint.

LeVert knocked down this three to extend the Hawks’ lead and pushed his score total to 13 points. The Hawks executed well down the stretch and going into halftime, they led the Pacers 69-52.

The Hawks took their foot off the gas a little to start the third, and the Pacers were able to cut their deficit down to ten points after a few threes. The defensive intensity increased for the Hawks, and Mouhamed Gueye got a huge block.

The Hawks kept their double-digit lead intact through the quarter, and Zaccharie Risacher threw down this one-handed dunk in transition.

LeVert found Clint Capela for this lob down the stretch of the third.

Many Hawks fans held their breath late in the third as Young went down and headed to the locker room with his status in question. The Hawks were still able to maintain without him and went into the fourth quarter leading 95-88.

A sigh of relief was let out when Young returned in the fourth, but the Pacers were already on a run to cut their deficit down even more. The Pacers ended up taking the lead at one point, and from there, it was a back-and-forth game.

Young continued his big night with this layup to tie the game.

The Hawks got on the later in the fourth, and Young pulled up for a fake three-pointer that turned into a lob to LeVert to give the Hawks a four-point lead.

The Hawks continued to execute down the stretch, with Young finding Okongwu for this easy layup.

Coming down to the final seconds, the Hawks had a 117-116 lead with the Pacers having a chance to take the lead with 17.4 remaining. The Pacers missed the shot, and Okongwu was able to get the rebound with 11.4 seconds left. Young was fouled and went to the free throw line, knocking down both and putting the Hawks up three.

They played the free throw game from there, and the Hawks walked away with the win.

Young finished with 36 points, LeVert finished with 26 points, and Okongwu finished with 16 points, 16 rebounds, three blocks, and three steals.

The Hawks will be back in action on Monday against the Philadelphia 76ers.