Atlanta, GA
3 takeaways from Indiana Pacers preseason opening loss to Atlanta Hawks
The Indiana Pacers dropped their preseason opener to the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. It came down to the wire with Seth Lundy hitting a three to give Atlanta the win in the final seconds. Neither team played their typical rotation players for the last 18 or so minutes of action as they marched through the preseason.
“There were a lot of positives really with all the guys that played,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said after the game. “Starters did some good things.”
Said starting five only played in the first half of the battle. The second half for the blue and gold was filled with bench players and deeper reserves as the team did some evaluation. That’s what the preseason exhibitions are all about.
The final score was 131-130. While it is just preseason, there are still a few important takeaways for the Pacers.
Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam took advantage of on-ball reps
Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam were the guiding forces behind Indiana’s offense with the starting five, and they handled the ball often. They both had a usage rate just over 24%, per the NBA’s advanced box score, while the Pacers typical lead ball handler in Tyrese Haliburton had a usage rate of 21.6%.
Nembhard was initiating offense on multiple occasions by getting Indiana into their sets quickly or by attacking the paint. The Hawks could not stop him from getting wherever he wanted to go, and he made them pay with a few mid-range buckets that are becoming his signature shot. He finished with 10 points and three assists.
Siakam, meanwhile, had more chances to push in transition than he did on an average night last year, and he looked effective when doing so. He, too, had more of a ball handling and passing burden than usual and had a successful night, scoring a team-high 15 points.
Haliburton was off the ball slightly more than he was on most nights last season. He was still heavily involved, but if Nembhard and Siakam can make plays and have the team’s offense humming, that bodes well for Indiana’s offense in the coming season.
Indiana’s defense still needs work
The Pacers hope they’ll improve on defense this season. They finished last season 18th in defensive rating after the All-Star break and believe they have a chance to keep up that form. A full training camp with Siakam could help.
Yet their general struggles from last season on the defensive end were still present in this game. Atlanta ball handlers danced into the paint. The Hawks made almost 53% of their shots and generated open threes.
“Had some defensive lapses, we’ve got to clean that up,” Carlisle said.
Trae Young and Jalen Johnson — two good players, to be clear — were effective and got to their spots. Nebhard defended young well, but most other matchups were easy to punish for the Hawks.
Zaccharie Risacher had a great outing for the hosts as well.
The Pacers didn’t have two important defensive pieces available in Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson, but their defense struggled to open the preseason.
Some ups and some downs from the newer players
The Pacers don’t have many new players, but the ones that offered up a first impression on Tuesday showed off some good and some bad moments.
James Wiseman, for example, was effective on offense and didn’t miss a shot. But his defense was subpar and needs work, particularly in pick-and-rolls. Cole Swider, a new wing for Indiana, showed off his ability to get off shots from deep and even displayed some ability putting the ball on the floor. But he forced the issue at times and didn’t have enough of an impact on defense.
Those two may end up being the only new Pacers players this season with NBA experience, and they had up-and-down nights. Kendall Brown, who is battling for a roster spot and is Swider’s main competitor to make the roster, didn’t impress. Quenton Jackson, who signed with Indiana in March, was effective. Those two are on the fringe of the roster but still had noteworthy performances.
Indiana next plays tomorrow night when they take on the Cavaliers in Cleveland. Then, they’ll head home for over a week until the regular season starts.
Atlanta, GA
New Venues in Atlanta for Summer 2026 Meetings and Events
Here’s a closer look at Atlanta’s newest eateries, drinking spots, hotels, conference areas, private rooms, and other spaces available for events this summer. The new and renovated Atlanta-area venues are available for corporate parties, weddings, fundraisers, outdoor functions, business dinners, team-building activities, conferences, meetings, and more.
Hotel Phoenix
Rendering: Courtesy of Green Olive Media
One of downtown Atlanta’s most anticipated openings, Hotel Phoenix brings 292 guest rooms, 15 suites, and more than 15,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space to the rapidly evolving Centennial Yards district, just in time for FIFA festivities. Opening in December 2025, the 18-story property sits steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium and offers floor-to-ceiling skyline views throughout. For planners, the headline is the flexible event footprint, anchored by an 8,214-square-foot ballroom that can be separated into three spaces by airwalls. The indoor flexibility is complemented by outdoor gathering spaces, which debuted this spring, including a resort-style pool deck, event lawn, and terrace lounge. With modern industrial design, built-in AV capabilities, and easy access to Atlanta’s sports and entertainment corridor, Hotel Phoenix is poised to become a go-to destination for conferences, galas, receptions, and high-energy corporate events.
JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Photo: Courtesy of JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown
Following a complete transformation of the former W Atlanta Downtown, JW Marriott Atlanta Downtown debuted in May with 237 guest rooms and nearly 10,000 square feet of refreshed meeting and event space. The property’s redesigned venues include conference rooms, banquet spaces, prefunction areas, and JW Marriott’s signature Blank Canvas Room, a gallery-style venue featuring white walls and wood floors designed to be fully customized for any event vision. An elevated boardroom, one of the city’s largest executive lounges, wellness-focused guest accommodations, and a rooftop pool bar add extra appeal for executive retreats and multi-day conferences. For planners seeking a luxury downtown option with a fresh new identity, this one deserves a spot on the shortlist.
Cosm Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Cosm Atlanta
If your attendees have already seen every ballroom in Atlanta, introduce them to Cosm. The new 70,000-square-foot venue in Centennial Yards is anchored by an 87-foot-diameter LED dome that delivers immersive “shared reality” experiences unlike anything currently available in the meetings market. The three-level venue accommodates up to 2,000 guests across three distinct event environments. The Dome seats up to 500 for screenings, presentations, and private experiences beneath the massive 12K+ LED display. The Hall offers a two-story event space with theater seating for 500, while The Deck provides outdoor reception space for up to 400 guests overlooking Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena. From product launches and media events to client entertainment and branded activations, Cosm offers planners a built-in wow factor that requires very little additional dressing.
SKOL Brewing Company & Valhalla Gaming Lounge
Photo: Courtesy of Caren West PR
Already known for its Nordic-inspired brewpub atmosphere inside downtown Atlanta’s historic 200 Peachtree building, SKOL Brewing Company is leveling up with the addition of Valhalla Gaming Lounge, a 30,000-square-foot expansion designed for immersive group experiences. Combined with SKOL’s existing 5,000-square-foot footprint, the venue creates a sprawling entertainment destination packed with more than 40 interactive attractions, including simulators, bocce courts, billiards, darts, arcade games, and experiential gaming zones. Private event options are already available, making this a compelling choice for team-building programs, client entertainment, conference after-parties, and events that need a healthy dose of friendly competition.
Thrillz Atlanta
Photo: Courtesy of Thrillz Atlanta & Brown Bag Marketing
Forget trust falls. Thrillz Atlanta is bringing adrenaline-fueled team building to the city with a massive indoor adventure park featuring more than 20 attractions under one roof. Designed for group outings, corporate events, and large-scale celebrations, the venue combines amusement rides, virtual reality experiences, laser tag, duckpin bowling, obstacle courses, arcade gaming, and towering slide attractions reaching up to 40 feet high. Ten themed private event rooms, dedicated event coordinators, and full food-and-beverage service make planning surprisingly turnkey. For companies looking to inject some serious energy into meetings, incentive programs, or employee events, Thrillz offers an experience attendees won’t forget.
You42 Studios
Photo: Courtesy of You42 Studios
Part content campus, part entertainment complex, part event venue, You42 Studios is one of the most unconventional new event destinations to open in metro Atlanta. Located in Roswell, the 36,000-square-foot facility combines creator studios, production suites, restaurants, nightlife concepts, live entertainment, and flexible event space under one roof. For planners, versatility is the selling point. The campus includes a 3,800-square-foot event venue, 11 professional content-creation studios, podcast suites, themed production sets, and The Block Theater, featuring a 30-by-18-foot LED screen for presentations, screenings, and live performances. Add multiple food-and-beverage concepts led by celebrity chef Katsuji Tanabe, and You42 becomes a one-stop shop for conferences, content-driven events, brand launches, influencer programs, and corporate gatherings looking for something far more memorable than a hotel meeting room.
Peachtree Sporting Club & American Dive
Photo: Zachary Bobo
Downtown Atlanta’s new 207 Peachtree development is betting big on experiential events. The 45,000-square-foot entertainment, dining, and event destination opened this month with Peachtree Sporting Club, an upscale sports bar concept, and American Dive, a live music venue serving Southern barbecue in a nostalgic dive-bar setting. For planners looking to move beyond traditional ballrooms, the venue offers built-in energy, multiple environments under one roof, and the flexibility to host everything from watch parties and networking receptions to buyouts and branded activations. It’s the kind of place where attendees can swap conference badges for cocktails without ever leaving the venue.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta Braves Manager Makes Honest Statement After Giants Game
Atlanta, GA
Robbie Ray leads SF Giants over Atlanta for first winning homestand since April
SAN FRANCISCO — Robbie Ray was everything the Giants could ask for on Sunday afternoon at Oracle Park.
In a performance that continued a strong recent stretch, the 34-year-old went eight innings and gave up a single unearned run, leading San Francisco to a 3-2 win.
It was an outing that will only increase potential interest in Ray at the upcoming MLB trade deadline, one where the Giants figure to be busy after ending their first winning homestand since April with a record of 35-48.
The Braves, who remain in first place in the NL East, are 49-33.
Ray was perfect through four innings until Matt Olson broke up his run of 12 consecutive batters retired with a single to center to lead off the fifth.
His shutout bid was ruined in the eighth when Michael Harris II drove in Eli White with a sacrifice fly, but Ray buckled down and retired Ozzie Albies with a popup to center to end the inning.
The Giants got on the board when Luis Arraez scored in the sixth on an infield single by Rafael Devers, running home when Austin Riley’s throw bounced off Olson’s glove and trickled away from him down the right-field line. They scored again when Albies threw the ball past Olson on Jung Hoo Lee’s grounder to the right side, allowing Heliot Ramos to score.
Ramos made his return from a right quad strain Sunday and played in his first game with the Giants since May 15.
Arraez led off the inning with an infield single down the left-field line, and Ramos further set the table with a single to center. Arraez added on in the seventh, bringing in an insurance run with a sacrifice fly to right that scored Drew Gilbert, who had led off the inning with a pinch-hit single to center.
The Sunday matinee was attended by 33,138 fans. Next up for the Giants is a quick six-game trip that begins Monday with an evening game in Arizona and will continue with a three-game set in Colorado over the holiday weekend, starting Friday.
Check back for updates to this story.
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