The Indiana Pacers faced a narrow loss to the Atlanta Hawks in their preseason opener, with a last-second three-pointer from Seth Lundy sealing the game at 131-130.
Head coach Rick Carlisle noted positives from the game, particularly from the starting players, who played only the first half. Andrew Nembhard and Pascal Siakam stood out offensively, showcasing their skills in ball handling and scoring.
Despite the offensive highlights, the Pacers' defense showed vulnerabilities, allowing the Hawks to shoot nearly 53%. The absence of key defenders Myles Turner and Isaiah Jackson was felt, and Carlisle emphasized the need for improvement.