Shorthanded Pacers field six players in loss to Hawks

Historic roster shortage in Atlanta

The Indiana Pacers fielded just six players on Monday night during a 108-104 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. With 11 players sidelined due to injuries and rest, it marked the earliest point in a season that a team has used so few players in nearly 80 years.

The last time a team used six or fewer players this early in a season was in 1948, when the Lakers used five players in their third game. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle explained before the game that the decision came down to injury management.

Massive salary gap on the court

Indiana played without regular squad members including Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Johnny Furphy, T.J. McConnell, Larry Nance Jr., Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Sheppard, Obi Toppin, and Ivica Zubac. Kelly Oubre Jr. was also a late scratch due to a bruised knee.

The players sitting out have a combined salary of about $193 million. In contrast, the six players on the court earn a total of about $15 million. Jay Huff, Quenton Jackson, and Jarace Walker started alongside Braden Smith and Jalen Slawson, who are on two way contracts. Kobe Brown was Indiana's only reserve player. Walker led Indiana with 44 minutes, while Jackson played 34 minutes.

Pacers push Hawks until the end

The defeat was the fifth straight loss for Indiana, but the depleted team remained competitive throughout the night. Atlanta led by no more than 15 points across the first three quarters. Nickeil Alexander Walker scored 34 points to lead the Hawks.

Jackson hit a three point play with 7:36 left to bring Indiana within 93-90. Atlanta answered with an 8-0 run, but Indiana fought back with a 9-0 run finished by two free throws from Huff with 2:24 remaining. Jackson stole the ball from Alexander Walker and made a layup to cut the gap to 106-104 with 1:36 left.

Jackson missed a 3 point shot with 43.1 seconds left that would have given Indiana the lead. Onyeka Okongwu then scored a jumper with 10.2 seconds remaining to secure the final margin for Atlanta.