INDIANAPOLIS – Against the short-handed Pacers, it was a group effort for the Hawks to finally get above .500 with a 132-123 win Monday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
1. This win lifts the Hawks above the .500 mark for the first time since Dec. 9, when they were 13-12. They’ve had an easy (on paper, at least) post-All-Star break schedule, but had been in this scenario before and lost the three games that could have put them above that mark the past two weeks. Now, with seven games left, the Hawks are still No. 10 in the Eastern Conference standings, but they’re only a half game behind the Hornets and one game behind the Nets. In other words, there’s still time for them to climb.
2. Missing most of their frontcourt besides center Clint Capela, injuries forced the Hawks to play without John Collins (right ring finger sprain/right foot strain) and Danilo Gallinari (right elbow contusion), with De’Andre Hunter a late scratch due to right knee soreness. Atlanta started Delon Wright (usually a backup guard) and Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, but a big highlight from this game was rookie Jalen Johnson getting more playing time and making the most of it, following up a solid outing in the loss to Detroit March 23 with 11 points, seven rebounds, one steal and one assist against the Pacers.
