8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Pacers can’t hold off the Hawks at Summer League

ByBen Gibson|
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Alize Johnson #24 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 11: Alize Johnson #24 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 11, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Indiana Pacers saw several solid individual performances but the team effort wasn’t enough to stop Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks at Summer League.

The Indiana Pacers lead by 27 points early in the fourth quarter, but Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks decided that wasn’t enough as they rallied back for a 107-101 win.

It wasn’t so much the 5th overall picks 23 points and 8 assists, but those were part of a Hawks effort that outscored Indiana 59-28 in the last 16:15 of the game.

For the Pacers, it was Alex Poythress’ 21 points and 7 rebounds that led the way, but rookies Aaron Holiday (13 points, 9 assists, 3 blocks, 3 steals) and Alize Johnson (12 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists) showed their worth on Wednesday night’s losing effort.

Second-year point guard Edmond Sumner showed off some of his shooting improvements in a 4 of 5 shooting night that tallied 12 points. He knocked down a 3-pointer and was a perfect 3 of 3 on free throws. T.J. Leaf had 9 points, 2 assists, and a rebound, but sat out the second half with a sore knee.

Pacers youth showing improvements

Aaron Holiday only turned the ball over 4 times which was a major improvement from Monday when he turned the ball over 8 times. His decision making still needs work but he is showing signs that he is making the right reads more often than not.

The former UCLA Bruin isn’t afraid to attack the basket and get physical to score, but he still showed finesse as he found Travis Leslie on this beautiful drop-off assist.

Alize Johnson showed the same motor that doesn’t stop that we’ve seen for four games now as his double-double stat line can attest to.

Johnson showed he can share the ball too. On a breakaway, Johnson looked off a Hawk defender to open up the lane for an easy dunk for Poythress.

Hopefully, we hear something about a contract for Johnson soon.

Next: The Shenanigans Department

The loss, unfortunately, means the Pacers only have one Summer League game left. They’ll learn the fate soon enough, but their final game will be on Friday.

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