Alexander-Walker scores 34 as Hawks hold off Pacers 108-104

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 34 points, Onyeka Okongwu hit a floater with 10.2 seconds left, and the Atlanta Hawks held off the Indiana Pacers 108-104 on Monday, November 2.

Alexander-Walker made 12 of 25 shots, went 9-of-15 from 3-point range and had four steals. Atlanta (4-4) scored 37 points in the first quarter and led 73-58 early in the third, its largest lead of the night.

CJ McCollum, who came in averaging 14.4 points, 1.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists, had 13 points, 9 rebounds and 11 assists despite making only 4 of 17 shots. Okongwu added 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Corey Kispert scored 14 off the bench.

The Hawks played without Jalen Johnson, out with a left ankle sprain. Indiana was missing Pascal Siakam, out for rest, and Andrew Nembhard, out for cervical injury management.

Indiana (2-6) won the third quarter 23-19 and the fourth 25-21. Atlanta led 101-92 with five minutes to play, and the Pacers outscored the Hawks 12-7 the rest of the way.

Jay Huff, who came in averaging 6 points and 3.3 rebounds, led Indiana with 22 points and 8 rebounds. Quenton Jackson scored 20, and Braden Smith had 19 points and 10 assists.

The Pacers shot better inside the arc but went 8-of-34 from 3-point range, while Atlanta made 23 of 51. The Hawks also grabbed 17 offensive rebounds to Indiana's five.

Huff made two free throws to pull Indiana within 104-102, and McCollum answered with two of his own. Jackson's running dunk with 1:23 left made it 106-104, and neither team scored again until Okongwu's 12-foot floater.

Up next

Hawks: at the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, November 4.

Pacers: at the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, November 4.