The Atlanta Hawks need to forget about their ugly loss against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night. They now turn the page to an injury-riddled Indiana Pacers team. Tyrese Haliburton is nursing a hamstring injury, but other contributors, including Ivica Zubac and Obi Toppin , have also missed recent games. That said, the Hawks have their own problems to deal with.
Atlanta will be without their rookie point guard, Kingston Flemings, after he was suspended before Monday's game . Moreover, backup center Jock Landale has been ruled out due to a hip injury. Hawks head coach Quin Snyder will have to replace two key bench pieces during Monday's game.
Meanwhile, the Pacers have lost four straight games since Haliburton last took the court. They struggled mightily without him last season and have been on a rough stretch since his hamstring injury.
Atlanta Hawks forward Corey Kispert (24) dribbles against New Orleans Pelicans forward Julian Reese (13) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. Photo Credit: Stephen Lew, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
The injury bug has ravaged the NBA early in the season. Atlanta has been mostly unscathed until now. With the Hawks set to miss key rotational players, Snyder must rework his rotation. When Landale exited the game against the Pelicans, Asa Newell was thrust into action. He gave Atlanta solid minutes off the bench and will need to do the same as Onyeka Okongwu 's backup.
Beyond Newell getting playing time, the Hawks might also give RayJ Dennis , Corey Kispert , and Dorian Finney-Smith some run. It's anybody's guess how this will play out, but an all-hands-on-deck approach is likely needed to combat the injuries. Rest assured, Atlanta has plenty of depth. However, the guys beyond Snyder's nine-man rotation have played sparingly, if at all, this season.
In each of the last three games, Atlanta has found itself behind by double digits at the end of the first quarter. So far, Atlanta ranks 26th in first-quarter points per game (25.9).
In fact, in the last two games, the Hawks have failed to score 20 points in the first quarter. Overall, Atlanta is at a -4.4 margin in the first quarter this season, but -12.7 in the last three games. They must get off to better starts because the Hawks are among the second-quarter teams in the NBA.
Atlanta ranks fourth in the NBA in second-quarter points per game (31.9). Furthermore, they rank fourth in the NBA in second-quarter margin at +4.6 this season. The Hawks struggle in the first quarter, but make up ground in the second.
If Atlanta can be a better first-quarter team, they could set themselves up better for the rest of the game. The Hawks must start the game better so they aren't playing from behind late in the game.
Atlanta Hawks forward Asa Newell (14) shoots against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Otega Oweh (13) during the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Photo Credit: Jordan Godfree, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
Much like the story against New Orleans, Atlanta and Indiana are rebounding at similar rates this season. Both teams average around 51 total rebounds per game. In the blowout loss against the Pelicans, the Hawks were dominated on the glass as New Orleans was +13 on the boards and +6 in second-chance points.
If Atlanta wants to succeed against the Pacers, they must control the glass. Indiana ranks 24th in offensive rebounds per game. They are also dead last in second-chance points . Teams have been able to limit the Pacers on the glass, and the Hawks must do the same.
Rebounding can spark transition opportunities for Atlanta. The thing is, the Pacers don't allow many transition points. They rank second in the NBA in fewest fast-break points allowed per game (11). The Hawks have to rebound to give themselves extra possessions on offense, but also start the break on the defensive end. Atlanta is often undersized, so it takes a group effort for them to compete on the boards.
Indiana has struggled without Haliburton. Since he sustained his hamstring injury, the Pacers are 0-4 with a -11 scoring margin over their last three games. Atlanta figures to have an advantage, but their own injuries make it anyone's guess who will win.
Since the 2025-26 season, Indiana is 19-66 without Haliburton but has played only four games with him healthy. The Hawks need to find a way to win to get the bad taste of the Pelicans game out of their mouth.
More NBA News
Luka Doncic Posts Historic Statline to Lift Lakers Over Raptors
Hornets Have Run Out Of Reasons To Play Sion James
What Does Kingston Flemings' Suspension Mean for the Atlanta Hawks?
Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
