Jalen Johnson scores 20 as Hawks hold off Pacers 119-117 in preseason

Jalen Johnson scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the Atlanta Hawks beat the Indiana Pacers 119-117 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on October 10. Atlanta carried a 10-point lead into the fourth quarter and held on as Indiana closed the gap.

The official NBA game record lists Johnson with three assists and 8-of-12 shooting in just under 25 minutes. Onyeka Okongwu added 18 points, Aaron Wiggins scored 13 and CJ McCollum had 12.

Atlanta makes its free throws count

The Hawks shot 43.3 percent from the field and made 13 of 45 three-point attempts. Their 28-of-30 performance at the free-throw line helped offset Indiana’s better shooting percentages. Atlanta also collected 49 rebounds to the Pacers’ 35.

Indiana led 32-31 after the opening quarter, but Atlanta moved ahead 62-60 at halftime and 96-86 after three quarters. The Pacers outscored the Hawks 31-23 in the fourth, leaving the final margin at two points.

Indiana’s scoring is spread across the roster

Pascal Siakam and Kelly Oubre Jr. each scored 13 points for Indiana. Jalen Slawson added 12, while Ivica Zubac finished with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists. The Pacers made 15 of their 34 three-point attempts and recorded 31 assists.

Tyrese Haliburton did not play. As covered in Rick Carlisle’s pregame injury update, Indiana held him out with a mild right-ankle tweak while working toward a possible return later in the preseason. The game result does not change that timetable into a confirmed return date.

Watch the NBA’s original fourth-quarter highlights from the October 10 game.