A monster game from John Collins and 134 points weren’t quite enough for the Hawks in a 135-134 loss to the Pacers at State Farm Arena Wednesday night.
The defeat ended the Hawks’ season with a 29-53 record.
Edmond Sumner sank three free throws with three-tenths of a second remaining to give Indiana the victory.
Taurean Prince's 3-pointer with 1.1 seconds remaining gave the Hawks the lead, but DeAndre Bembry's foul on Sumner's last-second 3-point attempt decided the game.
Collins scored 20 points and set a career high with 25 rebounds for the Hawks.
Prince and Trae Young each scored 23 points. Young had 11 assists and six turnovers. Alex Len had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Kevin Huerter scored 17 while making five 3-pointers.
TJ Leaf set career highs with 28 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers.
Tyreke Evans scored 27 points and Sumner had 22 as the Pacers won despite resting their top five scorers for the playoffs. Darren Collison was the only regular starter in the lineup, and he didn't play in the second half.
A floater by Young gave the Hawks a 129-128 lead. Following a timeout, Leaf and Len traded jams, leaving the Hawks with a 131-130 lead.
Pacers center Kyle O'Quinn was ejected with 5:39 remaining for his Flagrant 2 foul on Young. O'Quinn reached out and hit Young in the head, knocking the rookie to the floor, following a steal by Young. The blow did not appear to be intentional.
The hard foul seemed to motivate Young, who made both free throws before sinking an extra-long 3-pointer and then adding a three-point play, giving the Hawks a 59-58 lead.
Fans chanted "One more year!" when Hawks veteran Vince Carter stood at the free-throw line in the third quarter. It looks like they'll get their wish.
Before completing his 21st season, Carter, 42, said he'd like to play another season. "If they'll have me I'm all for it," Carter said before the game. Coach Lloyd Pierce said the decision belongs to Carter.
The Pacers completed their first season sweep of the Hawks since 2004-05.
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