Atlanta Hawks vs Pacers Match Player Stats | Recent Game Analysis

The Hawks swept the Pacers in their first two meetings of the 2025-26 season, but the all-time series tells a different story. Here’s the full breakdown of player stats, head-to-head history, and what the numbers actually say about these Eastern Conference foes.

Most recent game result: Hawks 132, Pacers 116 (Jan 26, 2026) ·
Hawks leading scorer (season): Trae Young ·
Pacers’ biggest rival: New York Knicks ·
Most recent head-to-head (Oct 31, 2025): Hawks 128, Pacers 108 ·
All-time win rate (vs. each other): Pacers 52.6%, Hawks 47.4%

Five key facts about the Hawks-Pacers matchup, one pattern: the Hawks have taken control in the 2025-26 season, but the all-time series leans Indiana.

Who won the most recent Hawks vs. Pacers game?

Game recap: Hawks 132, Pacers 116

• Atlanta Hawks beat Indiana Pacers 132-116 on January 26, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (ESPN box score).
• The Hawks used a 17-0 run in the second half to pull away, led by CJ McCollum’s 23 points (ESPN game recap).

Key player contributions

• CJ McCollum: 23 points (team-high), 5 rebounds, 4 assists
• Jalen Johnson: 22 points, 13 rebounds in the Oct 31 game; 18 points and 9 boards on Jan 26
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 21 points off the bench (Oct 31, 2025)

The pattern: Atlanta’s depth proved decisive, with three different players reaching at least 18 points across the two wins.

Who is the Hawks’ main scorer?

Current season scoring leader

• Trae Young is the Atlanta Hawks’ leading scorer for the 2025-26 season, averaging over 28 points per game (NBA stats leaders).
• Young’s playmaking also leads the team in assists, making him the focal point of the offense.

Historical Hawks scoring leaders

• All-time Hawks scoring leaders include Dominique Wilkins (23,292 points) and Bob Pettit (20,880) (Basketball-Reference).
• Trae Young already ranks in the top 10 after seven seasons.

What this means: The Hawks have options beyond Young, and that flexibility has fueled their recent success against Indiana.

Who is the Pacers’ biggest rival?

Knicks-Pacers rivalry history

• The New York Knicks are widely considered the Indiana Pacers’ biggest rival, a rivalry that intensified during the 1990s playoff battles (Wikipedia).
• The teams have met 13 times in the playoffs, with the Pacers winning 8 of those series.

Why the Pacers and Hawks are not traditional rivals

• The Hawks and Pacers are not division rivals (Hawks in Southeast, Pacers in Central).
• Their matchups lack the playoff history and fan intensity that define the Knicks-Pacers series.

The implication: For Pacers fans, the Hawks game is about playoff positioning, not legacy. That might explain the lower intensity compared to Knicks matchups.

Why are the Pacers and Hawks playing earlier than usual?

Scheduling change for the game

• The January 31, 2026 game between the Pacers and Hawks was moved to a 4:00 PM ET tip-off instead of the usual evening slot (Sofascore).
• Source notes indicate the change was to accommodate a scheduling conflict, though the exact reason remains unclear.

Impact on player availability

• Earlier tip-offs can affect player preparation and recovery, especially for teams coming off back-to-back games.
• Both teams had a day off before this game, so fatigue was minimized.

The catch: Early start times historically suppress scoring across the league, which could neutralize the Hawks’ high-octane offense.

What are the latest Atlanta Hawks vs. Indiana Pacers player stats from ESPN?

ESPN box score highlights (Oct 31, 2025 – game ID 401809502)

• Final score: Hawks 128, Pacers 108 (ESPN).
• Jalen Johnson: 22 points, 13 rebounds
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 21 points

ESPN box score highlights (Jan 26, 2026 – game ID 401810514)

• Final score: Hawks 132, Pacers 116 (ESPN).
• CJ McCollum: 23 points (led Hawks)
• Pascal Siakam (Pacers): 20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists (from the Feb 1, 2025 game)

Team comparison stats

• Hawks average 116.5 PPG in these two games; Pacers average 112.0 PPG.
• Rebound margin: Hawks +7.5 per game.

The pattern: Atlanta’s rebounding edge has been the difference—Pacers can’t secure second-chance points when the Hawks control the glass.

What is the all-time head-to-head record between Hawks and Pacers?

Win percentage breakdown

• Since 2004, the teams have played 93 games: Pacers won 47 (50.5%), Hawks won 46 (49.5%) (AiScore).
• Pacers average 104.3 PPG, Hawks 102.9 PPG over that span.

Home vs. away performance

• Pacers’ home win rate: 69.2% against Hawks (AiScore).
• Hawks’ home win rate: 64.9% against Pacers.

100 matchups, one pattern: home-court advantage matters more than any other variable in this series, with both teams winning at significantly higher rates at home.

Comparison table: Hawks vs Pacers recent performance

Three recent games, one contrast: the Hawks’ offense has been unstoppable while the Pacers’ defense has struggled to contain them.

The implication: The Hawks have averaged 130 points in their two 2025-26 wins, suggesting Indiana’s defensive adjustments haven’t worked yet.

Timeline: Hawks vs Pacers key moments

• Feb 1, 2025 – Pacers defeat Hawks 132-127. Pascal Siakam hits a key late three-pointer (ESPN).
• Oct 31, 2025 – Hawks beat Pacers 128-108 in NBA Cup group stage. Jalen Johnson double-double (ESPN).
• Jan 26, 2026 – Hawks win 132-116, completing a 2-0 season sweep so far. CJ McCollum leads the way (ESPN).
• Jan 31, 2026 – Upcoming early tip-off game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Sofascore).

The pattern: The Pacers have lost three of the last four meetings, with their only win coming by five points in February 2025.

Fact check: What we know vs. what’s still open

Expert takes & analysis

“The Hawks’ offense is clicking at the right time. CJ McCollum’s 23 points off the bench in the last game shows the depth they have.”

— ESPN game recap

“Indiana’s home advantage in this series is real—they win nearly 70% of the time at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. That makes the upcoming game a must-watch.”

— AiScore historical analysis

“The Knicks-Pacers rivalry is one of the most heated in the NBA, but the Hawks-Pacers matchup lacks that playoff history. These games are purely about the present standings.”

— Wikipedia (Knicks-Pacers rivalry)

The pattern is clear: recent Hawks wins have been decisive, but the historical series is nearly even. For the Pacers, the upcoming Jan 31 game is a chance to flip the momentum at home. For the Hawks, it’s about proving their offense can travel. If the early tip-off throws off either team’s rhythm, we’ll see if depth or home court wins out.

For Hawks fans, the choice is clear: enjoy the recent dominance, but remember the Pacers own the all-time series. For Pacers fans, the implication is straightforward: win at home to keep the playoff race tight, or risk the Hawks sweeping the season series.

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