2026-10-10 · 6:00 PM CT · Preseason
Atlanta Hawks46-36
Indiana Pacers19-63ESPN standings data retrieved October 6, 2026. NBA comparisons use the completed 2025–26 regular season. Each upcoming fixture labels preseason or regular-season status.
Atlanta Hawks2025–26 regular season
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|---|---|
| STANDARD STATS | ||
| Points / game | 118.5 | 6 / 30 |
| Rebounds / game | 43.5 | 18 / 30 |
| Assists / game | 30.1 | 1 / 30 |
| Turnovers / game | 13.4 | 10 / 30 |
| Steals / game | 9.4 | 5 / 30 |
| Blocks / game | 4.7 | 18 / 30 |
| FG% | 47.4% | 13 / 30 |
| 3PT% | 37.1% | 5 / 30 |
| FT% | 77.4% | 20 / 30 |
| THE LAB MEASURES | ||
| eFG% | 55.4% | 10 / 30 |
| Turnover rate | 11.7% | 9 / 30 |
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
| Free-throw pressure | 0.234 | 27 / 30 |
Indiana Pacers2025–26 regular season
| Measure | Season average | League rank |
|---|---|---|
| STANDARD STATS | ||
| Points / game | 112.4 | 27 / 30 |
| Rebounds / game | 41.9 | 25 / 30 |
| Assists / game | 27.7 | 12 / 30 |
| Turnovers / game | 13.8 | 17 / 30 |
| Steals / game | 7.4 | 27 / 30 |
| Blocks / game | 4.6 | 19 / 30 |
| FG% | 45.8% | 26 / 30 |
| 3PT% | 35.6% | 18 / 30 |
| FT% | 77.6% | 17 / 30 |
| THE LAB MEASURES | ||
| eFG% | 53.3% | 23 / 30 |
| Turnover rate | 12.3% | 16 / 30 |
| Offensive rebound rate | — | — |
| Free-throw pressure | 0.252 | 20 / 30 |
ESPN team totals and game box scores checked October 6. NBA season averages and ranks use 2025–26; preseason game results are shown separately. Ranks are within the league, with ties sharing a rank; a lower turnover rate is better. Season offensive rebound rate needs opponent defensive-rebound totals, which this feed does not supply. A dash means unavailable. This game’s offensive rebound rate uses the opponent’s actual rebounds.
eFG% gives a made three its extra value. Turnover rate estimates the share of plays lost before a shot. Offensive rebound rate is the share of available offensive rebounds collected. Free-throw pressure is FTA/FGA. The calculations are (FGM + 0.5 × 3PM)/FGA; TOV/(FGA + 0.44 × FTA + TOV); OREB/(OREB + opponent DREB); and FTA/FGA.
This is preseason. Use the team numbers as background and watch how the new lineups play together. No spread or Lab win probability is published for this game.
Last season 46-36 | 6th in the East | Lost in First Round
2025-26 efficiency 115.0 offense | 112.9 defense | +2.2 net per 100 possessions
Atlanta finished sixth at 46-36 and lost to New York in the first round after taking a 2-1 lead. The Hawks were much better after the All-Star break, with a plus-9.7 net rating, but the finishing schedule was favorable. That improvement is meaningful evidence. It is not a reason to project the late-season pace across an entire new campaign.
The front office added Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Dorian Finney-Smith around Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. CJ McCollum remains an experienced scorer after the Trae Young trade changed the offense during last season. The wing additions give Quin Snyder more ways to apply pressure and protect a weaker defender without immediately losing shooting or size.
The unfinished question is top-end half-court creation. Johnson's development can raise the ceiling, but adding more useful defenders does not guarantee a clean shot against an organized playoff defense. The Hawks had 115.0 points per 100 possessions over the full season, a much more modest offense than the closing run suggests. Management improved the support group while keeping the harder shot-creation assignment largely with the existing leaders.
Projected finish is tenth in the East. Atlanta can improve its actual play while sliding in the standings as rivals regain stars or add them. We see a tight Play-In race rather than a collapse. A larger jump from Johnson, combined with repeatable offensive efficiency against strong opponents, would justify moving the Hawks higher.
Last season 19-63 | 14th in the East | Missed postseason
2025-26 efficiency 110.1 offense | 117.9 defense | -7.8 net per 100 possessions
Indiana finished 14th at 19-63 while Tyrese Haliburton recovered from the Achilles injury suffered in the 2025 Finals. A 110.1 offensive rating and minus-7.8 net rating describe that absence, not a normal version of the intended team. The movement remained recognizable, but the passing advantages and conversion were nowhere near the level that powered the Finals run.
Kevin Pritchard's largest improvement is Haliburton returning. Ivica Zubac gets a full camp after arriving at the previous deadline, and Kelly Oubre Jr. and Larry Nance Jr. add veteran depth. Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith and the other returning contributors give Rick Carlisle a familiar framework. Jarace Walker's stronger finish last season adds another internal development route.
The concern is assuming recovery means immediate restoration of every advantage. Haliburton still needs to demonstrate that his pace and creation hold over a long season. Zubac supplies size, screening and rebounding, but does not space the floor like Myles Turner. Management has replaced some departed production without rebuilding the exact Finals rotation. The bench and the first-unit spacing need to function in this new configuration.
Projected finish is eighth in the East. This is a substantial rebound driven by a returning primary creator and a proven supporting core. We remain cautious about predicting instant contention after an Achilles recovery. Indiana could be better in the playoffs than its record if the offense becomes sharper during the year. The first requirement is that the returning system creates good shots again.
A matching published game video is not available in the verified archive yet.
