Atlanta Hawks Face Indiana Pacers as NBA Preseason Gains Momentum

The NBA preseason is in full swing with the Atlanta Hawks returning to action against the Indiana Pacers. While the Hawks’ regular season opener against the Brooklyn Nets is two weeks away, their matchup against last season’s Eastern Conference Finalists provides a preview of their new lineup.

Since their loss to the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Play-In Tournament, the Hawks have traded Dejounte Murray and introduced new players such as Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, and Larry Nance. This game marks the debut of these new acquisitions and offers the first glimpse into how they might fit together.

Head coach Quin Snyder recently shared his expectations for the preseason. “As you said, it’s one data point. I want us to execute on the defensive end with the same focus as on the offensive end and understand the connectivity between the two,” Snyder said, highlighting the importance of communication and execution on both sides of the ball.

Speculation surrounds the playing time for major rotation players, as the preseason typically allows coaches to experiment with different lineups. However, one certainty is that Trae Young will be a starter when the regular season commences. Young has assumed leadership of the Hawks’ offense, and his performance tonight will be closely watched.

Jalen Johnson is expected to start at power forward. Despite an impressive season last year, Johnson was hindered by injuries. With Murray gone, he might face new playmaking responsibilities, becoming Atlanta’s second offensive option.

The starting lineup for tonight’s game remains largely speculative. Candidates for the backcourt position alongside Young include Bogdan Bogdanovic, Dyson Daniels, Zaccharie Risacher, and Vit Krejci, with Snyder frequently mentioning Krejci during training camp.

At small forward, De’Andre Hunter, Risacher, or Daniels could occupy the spot. Daniels, noted for his defense, is an intriguing player this season. Risacher, the first overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, will attract attention in his NBA debut, though fans are cautioned not to overreact to his initial performance.

Clint Capela is likely to start as center, but the Hawks also have Onyeka Okongwu and veteran Larry Nance as options in the frontcourt.

For the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton leads a high-powered offense along with Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith. The Pacers’ quick pace and scoring potential posed challenges for the Hawks last season.

The preseason game will take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Southeast. According to the latest odds, the Hawks are 1.5-point underdogs, with the over/under set at 227.5.