Indiana Pacers used only six players in a 108-104 home defeat by Atlanta Hawks as injuries and rest left the team severely depleted. Their available group still had a chance to take the lead in the final minute. Jarace Walker played 44 minutes, while Atlanta’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 34 points in the visitors’ victory.
The Indiana Pacers used six players in a 108-104 home loss to the Atlanta Hawks in the National Basketball Association, North America’s leading basketball league. Injuries and rest left eleven players unavailable. The starting five consisted of Jay Huff, Quenton Jackson, Jarace Walker, Braden Smith and Jalen Slawson. Kobe Brown was the only substitute to enter the game.[1], [2]
Walker played 44 minutes, while Jackson’s 34 minutes were the fewest among Indiana’s players. Kelly Oubre Jr. was withdrawn late with a bruised knee, and Pascal Siakam was rested. Coach Rick Carlisle said the available players had spent too long on court but praised their effort. Some absences involved injuries expected to keep players out for weeks; Indiana was also playing on consecutive nights.[1]
Jackson’s steal and layup brought Indiana within two points late in the fourth quarter. He later missed a three-point attempt that could have put the Pacers ahead. Atlanta held on, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker scoring 34 points. The defeat was Indiana’s fifth in succession and left its record at two wins and six losses. The depleted team was still in contention during the final minute.[1], [2]
