NBA: Pacers post team-record 50 assists, rout Hawks

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) drives toward the basket, next to Atlanta Hawks’ Garrison Mathews (25), during the second half an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Friday, Jan. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)

INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton had 18 of Indiana’s franchise-record 50 assists and the Pacers routed the Atlanta Hawks 150-116 on Friday night for their sixth straight victory.

Haliburton, the NBA assists leader at 12.8 per game, also had 10 points and eight rebounds in just over 25 minutes. Myles Turner led Indiana with 27 points, Bennedict Mathurin had 18, Bruce Brown 17 and Aaron Nesmith 15.

The NBA’s highest-scoring team, Indiana reached 150 points against the Hawks for the second time this season after setting a league season high in a 157-152 victory in Atlanta on Nov. 21.

Tyrese Haliburton dished 18 of the Pacers' FRANCHISE-BEST 50 assists in Indiana's 6th win in a row 🤯 pic.twitter.com/xOpjRsoLXC

— NBA (@NBA) January 6, 2024

Dejounte Murray led the Hawks with 30 points. Trae Young missed his first seven shots and finished with 13 points on 4-of-18 shooting. He was 1 of 11 from 3-point range.

The Pacers shot 71% in the first half and led 78-54 at the break. Indiana shot 64% overall while Atlanta was at 43%. Indiana was 19 of 39 from 3-point range,

The Pacers were without Andrew Nembhard for the second straight game because of soreness in his back.

UP NEXT

Hawks: At Orlando on Sunday night.

Pacers: Host Boston on Saturday and Monday nights.