Pacers Win Tight Fourth Quarter Battle as Nembhard and Siakam Lead

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana continued its midseason resurgence Saturday night as Andrew Nembhard scored 26 points and Pascal Siakam added 25 to lead the Pacers to a 129 to 124 win over the Atlanta Hawks, a result that reinforced the team’s improving outlook despite ongoing roster adversity.

Indiana carried a narrow advantage through much of the second half and led 103 to 100 entering the fourth quarter. The game remained tight until Siakam delivered a decisive 12 foot jumper with 18.6 seconds remaining, pushing the Pacers ahead 127 to 123 and stabilizing the closing sequence in the latest NBA breaking update.

Nembhard complemented his scoring with 10 assists, while Aaron Nesmith contributed 23 points as Indiana overcame 23 turnovers through efficient shooting and timely execution. Siakam finished 11 of 15 from the field, continuing to anchor the Pacers offense with consistency and veteran composure.

Atlanta dropped its second straight game despite a standout performance from Jalen Johnson, who recorded his eighth triple double of the season with 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Nickeil Alexander Walker added 21 points for the Hawks, who generated offense in spurts but struggled to string together stops in the final minutes.

The Pacers have now won 7 of their last 12 games after opening the season with a 6 and 31 record, a turnaround driven by improved ball movement, pace control, and frontcourt efficiency. Indiana has navigated the entire season without All Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of last season’s NBA Finals, forcing a recalibration of roles across the backcourt.

Indiana built its early advantage behind a season best offensive half, jumping to an 80 to 73 lead at halftime after scoring 45 points in the second quarter alone. The Pacers shot 58 percent from the field in the opening half, including 11 of 20 from three point range. Nembhard and Johnson each scored 21 points before the break, setting the tone for a high scoring contest.

What this means moving forward is a clearer timeline for Indiana’s competitive window as the roster continues to adapt without its franchise point guard. The Pacers have shown they can generate offense through balance and efficiency, while Atlanta faces next steps focused on defensive consistency and late game execution as it navigates a congested Eastern Conference standings picture.

The Hawks travel to Miami on Tuesday night looking to halt their slide, while the Pacers return home to host Houston on Monday night with an opportunity to extend their recent momentum.