With Tyrese Haliburton evolving into among the finest fourth quarter gamers within the NBA, the Indiana Pacers had change into among the finest clutch groups within the NBA not too long ago. They have been successful usually when video games have been tight late.

In opposition to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night time, although, Indiana did not have Haliburton. It was their first sport with out him since his knee and elbow accidents. They must regulate with out their star, and that included making an attempt to determine find out how to shut a sport in crunch time.

With 7:46 to go within the ultimate quarter, the Pacers led by 9. On the 2:39 mark, they have been up by three. With as few as 33 seconds to go, the blue and gold led by one. However when the ultimate buzzer sounded, Indiana trailed by two. That they had many probabilities to shut out the sport, however the Pacers could not get it executed in opposition to Atlanta with out Haliburton.

“They have been hitting some powerful pictures that we now have to reside with,” middle Isaiah Jackson stated of the Hawks within the fourth quarter. He famous that Atlanta gained a ton of momentum throughout a 14-0 third quarter run, and Jackson felt it carried into the ultimate body.

The Pacers scored simply 22 factors and shot 32% from the sphere within the fourth quarter. Their offense fell aside regardless of defending properly sufficient to offer themselves an opportunity. When the sport slowed down late, the Pacers struggled with out their regular ground common obtainable.

“Their playmakers have been superb and we had some empty possessions,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stated of the fourth quarter. “Our margins for error are nearly nonexistent, and so we have actually acquired to be proper.”

Indiana had an opportunity to get the sport to time beyond regulation late after Buddy Hield sank two free throws with 21.5 on the clock. However a John Collins tip-in with 0.7 seconds remaining sealed the deal for Atlanta, and the Pacers did not rise up a ultimate shot. The ultimate rating was 113-111.

One of many Hawks playmakers who was superb, like Carlsile alluded to, was two-time All-Star Trae Younger. The 24-year previous completed with 26 factors and 11 assists on the night time, together with 9 factors within the ultimate quarter. He hit a vital three pointer with 32.3 on the clock to offer Atlanta a late lead, and he completed a game-high +20. He gave the Pacers matches all night time.

On prime of Haliburton, the Pacers have been additionally with out Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner. They have been each out for the second straight sport. That meant that Indiana was down three of its regular starters, and it confirmed at occasions. Indiana’s beginning 5 had logged zero minutes collectively previous to tonight’s sport, they usually had uneven moments all night. The opening 5 completed with a +/- of -14.

Normally, the Pacers eight man rotation had its ups and downs. Such is the lifetime of a younger crew. However these peaks and valleys have been exaggerated with out three of the crew’s key gamers.

A number of gamers wanted to step up for the Pacers to remain within the sport whereas undermanned, and that is precisely what occurred. Rookie guard Bennedict Mathurin, beginning his first house sport of his profession, was wonderful. He completed with 26 factors, 5 rebounds, and three assists and was a +13. 26 factors ties Mathurin’s fourth-highest mark of his profession, and the blue and gold will want his scoring with Haliburton sidelined.

“To be sincere, I simply really feel prefer it is dependent upon how the protection is taking part in me. I am at all times going to be aggressive in making an attempt to get to the ring and making an attempt to get my teammates concerned,” Mathurin stated after the sport.

Isaiah Jackson, who began the sport for the fourth time this season, completed with 10 factors, 10 rebounds, and a career-high seven blocks. He was impactful across the rim on each ends, and he and Mathurin stuffed in properly as starters in an altered rotation.

Others have been strong whereas taking part in of their regular function. T.J. McConnell completed with seven assists off the bench. Osahe Brissett had a 17-point, 10-rebound double double, and Jalen Smith dropped in 14 factors and was a team-high +17. Indiana’s bench did its job.

Regardless of many gamers having spectacular particular person outings, a mix of accidents, inconsistent play, and an absence of execution down the stretch led to a Pacers loss. They fell to 23-20 and can host the Memphis Grizzlies tomorrow night time as they attempt to get again on observe.

• Tyrese Haliburton suffers left knee bone contusion and left elbow sprain, might be out not less than two weeks for the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers attain the midway level of their season properly above expectations. CLICK HERE.
• Oshae Brissett has contract change into totally assured, not waived by the Indiana Pacers earlier than the assure deadline. CLICK HERE.
• The Indiana Pacers have change into among the finest clutch groups within the NBA. CLICK HERE.
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