Indiana
Atlanta Gives Up 157 Points in Season Finale to Indiana; Will Face Chicago In NBA Play In Tournament Wednesday
While they did not have anything to play for, the Atlanta Hawks were hoping to end their five-game losing streak and get a win vs the Indiana Pacers, a team they have not played well against all season. Indiana was hoping to remain in the top six in the Eastern Conference standings and did not want to lose to Atlanta.
The Hawks defense made sure that they did not have a chance in this game.
From the start of the game, the Hawks could not guard the Pacers, allowing Indiana to get anything they wanted. Atlanta did not play poorly on offense, but it was so bad on the other end of the court that they trailed for much of this game and ended up getting blown out. Atlanta ends its regular season on a six-game losing streak and they are not playing like a team that will inspire much confidence in the play-in tournament this week. This would be the second time this season that the Hawks gave up at least 150 points to Indiana.
Let’s recap today’s miserable afternoon.
The starting lineup for the Hawks today was Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Bruno Fernando. Fernando got the start with Capela out.
Indiana started Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner.
Atlanta has had trouble matching up with the Pacers this year and that was not more evident than in the first half of this game and more specifically the first quarter.
Indiana raced out to an 8-0 lead only two minutes in the game and before the Hawks knew it, they were trailing 31-15 and there was stil five minutes left in the quarter. It was an awful start defensively and Fernando had a tough start to the game on both ends. He picked up two quick fouls, which meant Mouhamed Gueye got in the game quicker than expected, but he made the most of his minutes. Gueye was the lone bright spot in the first quarter for the Hawks, scoring 10 points.
The problem was, the Hawks allowed Indiana to score an unthinkable 49 points in the first quarter, shooting 74% from the field and 55% from three. Myles Turner picked up some early fouls, but still scored 11 points, Siakam had 10 points and T.J. McConnell came off the bench to score seven. Indiana led 49-34 and Atlanta had no answers for them.
The second quarter was the Hawks’s best of the game by far and they got right back in the game. Atlanta got on a 16-3 run to cut the lead to one point, 62-61. The guy leading the charge for the Hawks was Murray, who would go on to score 20 points in the second quarter.
After Atlanta cut into the lead, Indiana went on another big run quickly and led 86-72 at the half. Atlanta scored 72 points in the first half, but trailed by double-digits at halftime. Everything about the first half defense was horrible, but it was only begining.
Atlanta shot 55% from the field and 44% from three in the first half. Murray had 22 points, Gueye had a career-high 13 in the first half, and Young and Bogdanovic had 10 each.
The numbers for Indiana’s offense were staggering. The Pacers shot 64% in the first half from the field and 45% from three. Turner had 18 points and eight rebounds, Siakam had 17 points, Haliburton had 12 points and eight assists, and McConnell had 12 off the bench.
The third quarter is where the game was officially put away.
The Pacers continued to punish the Hawks poor defense and the Hawks offense went cold. Atlanta shot 30% from the field and 20% from three, while the Pacers shot 70% from the field and 67% from three. The best thing to come out of the second half was that Trae Young surpassed Doc Rivers to become the all-time assist leader in Atlanta Hawks history.
The Hawks were outscored 39-21 in the third quarter and that was a wrap on the game. The starters played far longer than I would have thought in the fourth quarter, but the Pacers would roll over the Hawks for a 42 point win. It was an embarrassing final game for the Hawks and their 6th straight loss to end the regular season.
For the game, Atlanta shot 44% from the field and 33% from three. Murray led the way with 32 points, Gueye had 19 points, and Bogdanovic had 18. Hawks head coach Quin Snyder praised Gueye for his performance today, one of the few bright spots for Atlanta.
It will now be a do-or-die week for Atlanta. They will head to Chicago to play the Bulls in the first play-in game on Wednesday at 9:30. If they were to win that, they would face the loser of the 76ers/Heat matchup on Wednesday. If they win both games, they will travel to Boston to face the No.1 seeded Celtics for a first-round matchup.
INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced an extension of the state’s gas tax holiday through July 7.
The move extends the suspension of Indiana’s 7% Gasoline Usage Tax and the state’s Gasoline Excise Tax for a second time. The current suspension had been scheduled to expire June 7.
Braun said the extension is part of an effort to keep costs down for Indiana families.
“Indiana has the cheapest gas in the country because we are using every tool in the toolbox to save Hoosier families money,” Braun said in a statement. “Affordability is my number one priority.”
By the numbers:
According to AAA, Indiana currently has the nation’s lowest average gas price, with regular gasoline averaging $3.585 per gallon.
State officials said drivers will save more than 62 cents per gallon while both taxes remain suspended. For June, the Gasoline Usage Tax would otherwise total 26.5 cents per gallon, while the Gasoline Excise Tax stands at 36 cents per gallon.
Dig deeper:
The extension is being carried out under Indiana’s energy emergency statute. State officials said an energy emergency declared in April remains in effect and allows the governor to continue related relief measures for up to 120 days.
Indiana lawmakers limited a governor’s emergency powers tied to statewide disaster declarations to 60 days following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, state officials noted that energy emergencies operate under separate legal authority and retain a 120-day maximum duration.
Braun first suspended the Gasoline Usage Tax on April 8. He expanded the relief on May 6 by also suspending the Gasoline Excise Tax, more than doubling the savings available to motorists.
The latest extension means Indiana drivers will continue receiving the tax relief through at least early July.
The Source: The information in this report came from the Indiana Governor’s Office.
Indiana football’s Curt Cignetti raises concerns over costs
Indiana coach Curt Cignetti is speaking out on rising roster costs. Cignetti says players should get paid, but universities can’t handle it.
Josh Hoover is replacing a guy who won the Heisman Trophy while leading Indiana football to a national championship. No pressure there, right?
Being the guy who replaces the guy brings Hoover the distinction as the top college football transfer entering the 2026 season, according to Billy Tucker of ESPN.
The Hoosiers have four players on this 100-player list, three of them in the top 20.
According to the story: “Each player is ranked based on a team’s need and what physical skill set they bring to their new team.”
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Need: “With Fernando Mendoza off to the NFL and backup Alberto Mendoza having transferred to Georgia Tech, the Hoosiers needed another experienced passer capable of sustaining College Football Playoff expectations in Bloomington. Indiana has become one of the portal’s premier destinations for quarterbacks, and Hoover, who transferred from TCU, is next in line after Kurtis Rourke and national champion and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.”
Value: “Hoover gives (coach) Curt Cignetti extensive experience, skill and production after throwing for 9,629 yards and 71 touchdowns at TCU. He is a confident gunslinger who thrives pushing the ball vertically and operating within RPO concepts. His swagger and aggressiveness should unlock explosive plays through the air, albeit with some volatility. Hoover has 42 career turnovers and only one season without double-digit interceptions.”
No. 11: Nick Marsh, Indiana wide receiver
Need: “Marsh is a proven No. 1 receiver as the Hoosiers transition to a new era at the position after Omar Cooper Jr. and Elijah Sarratt moved on to the NFL. They couldn’t afford to wait on a younger, more projectable receiver. Marsh instead is a ready-made top target and established focal point. He should be the clear primary receiving option.”
Value: “A former ESPN 300 recruit, Marsh led Michigan State in receiving in back-to-back seasons, totaling 100 catches for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns. At 6-3, 203 pounds, he brings Big Ten-ready size paired with vertical speed, allowing him to win downfield and on contested 50-50 opportunities. He is effective as a deep threat and as a physical receiver who can work through contact. Cignetti saw Marsh’s ability up close. He had 12 catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns across two games against Indiana, reinforcing his ability to elevate the passing attack immediately.”
No. 18: Tobi Osunsanmi, Indiana edge rusher
Need: “Adding Osunsanmi, a Kansas State transfer, will help Indiana reload for its national title defense. The Hoosiers lost Mikail Kamara, Stephen Daley and Kellan Wyatt, creating a clear need along the defensive front. Osunsanmi is an ideal plug-and-play addition. The versatile pass rusher should translate fluidly to defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ scheme.”
Value: “Osunsanmi suffered a season-ending injury that forced him to miss the second half of last season, but he flashed during the spring, creating havoc up front. He brings a strong combination of speed and power to pressure offensive tackles. His power allows him to play stout at the point of attack, set the edge or walk blockers back into the backfield to collapse the pocket. He also has the quickness and agility to win on loops and stunts, along with a motor that shows up in pursuit outside the box.”
Need: “The Hoosiers lost their two leading rushers from last season’s championship team with running backs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black, who combined for 2,160 yards, off to the NFL. Though they return two other productive backs in Khobie Martin and Lee Beebe Jr., they also added production in the transfer portal with Richard, a Boston College back with a scheme-fitting skill set. The 5-8 rusher didn’t have many Power 4 offers out of high school, but one of the first programs to offer him was James Madison when Cignetti was at the helm.”
Value: “Richard had a very productive season in 2025 with 749 yards on the ground. He has a compact build that helps him play with a low center of gravity and the ability to break tackles. His running style is patient as he has a good feel to cut off the backside of blocks. He runs behind his pads and finishes runs with good demeanor. As a receiver out of the backfield, he also provides a reliable checkdown option. Cignetti noted that he liked what Richard did this spring as he will have the opportunity to be impactful and a reliable option at running back for an Indiana team that is looking to repeat.”
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Two future Boilermakers are taking the floor and will go head-to-head during Indiana All-Star Week. 2026 signee Luke Ertel and 2027 commit Isaiah Hill are battling it out on Wednesday, June 3, as the Indiana All-Stars will play the Indiana Junior All-Stars.
Wednesday will be the third time Ertel and Hill have played against each other this season. During the IHSAA basketball season, Ertel’s Mt. Vernon team took on Hill’s Pike squad twice.
Hill led the Red Devils to an 84-81 overtime victory during the regular season. In the Regional of the Class 4A IHSAA Basketball Tournament, Ertel guided Mt. Vernon to a 57-54 overtime victory. The Marauders went on to win the state championship.
Who will win the third and decisive battle between the future Boilermakers on Wednesday? Here’s the information necessary to watch the game.
How to watch the Indiana All-Star Game
- What — Indiana Junior All-Stars vs. Indiana All-Stars
- When — Wednesday, June 3, 2026
- Where — Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, Ind.
- Tipoff time — 8 p.m. ET (approx.)
- Ticket price — $15
- Stream — ISC Indiana Sports Network YouTube Channel
Hill participated in Indiana-Kentucky Jr. All-Star Game
Wednesday night’s Junior-Senior All-Star Game will be the second time Hill has competed during Indiana All-Star Week. The Pike star and five-star center also played in Sunday’s Indiana-Kentucky Junior All-Star Game.
Hill put together a solid performance, scoring 15 points, grabbing a team-high seven rebounds and recording three blocks. His efforts helped lead Indiana to a 109-99 victory over Kentucky.
Ertel and the Indiana All-Stars have not yet played during Indiana All-Star Week, with their first game scheduled for Wednesday against the Junior All-Stars. Then, to close out the week, Ertel will participate in the Indiana-Kentucky All-Star Series, with games being played in Lexington and Indianapolis.
Ertel, Hill highly rated recruits in respective classes
There’s already plenty of hype surrounding Ertel and Hill, both players who are highly-ranked recruits in their respective classes.
Ertel is the top-ranked player from Indiana in the 2026 recruiting class and is considered a top-50 prospect by 247Sports. He was named Indiana Mr. Basketball, averaging 24.5 points, 9.9 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game in his senior season at Mt. Vernon.
Hill is a year younger, but became the highest-ranked recruit ever to commit to play at Purdue. The 2027 product was a star at Pike High School during his junior season, averaging 12.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game. He is a five-star prospect and ranked as the No. 10 player in the class, per ESPN.
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