The Boston Celtics continue to shine in the NBA’s Eastern Conference, notching another impressive victory as they overpowered the Indiana Pacers 140-122 on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. This matchup, the second of four meetings between the two teams this season, underscored the contrasting directions of both franchises as the Celtics built on their winning streak and the Pacers’ woes deepened.
Entering the game, the Celtics boasted an 18-11 record, riding a three-game winning streak and sitting comfortably as the No. 3 seed in the East. They were just 2.5 games behind the New York Knicks for the No. 2 spot—a testament to their consistent form and ability to exceed preseason expectations. The Pacers, meanwhile, found themselves mired in a slump, losers of six straight and eight of their last ten. With a dismal 6-24 record, Indiana was tied with the Washington Wizards for the worst mark in the league.
Friday’s contest was set against a backdrop of injury concerns for both squads. The Pacers’ injury report was a laundry list of setbacks: Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Isaiah Jackson (concussion), Aaron Nesmith (knee), Ben Sheppard (calf), and Obi Toppin (foot) were all ruled out. Notably, Isaiah Jackson was sidelined after suffering a head injury in the prior meeting with Boston, and he remained in concussion protocol. Taelon Peter, on a two-way contract, was listed as probable and had logged minimal minutes in recent games.
The Celtics, too, were without some key contributors. Chris Boucher (personal reasons), Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, and Amari Williams were all unavailable, while Jayson Tatum was out nursing an Achilles injury. However, there was a silver lining for Boston as Jordan Walsh, who missed the previous Pacers game due to illness, returned to the lineup. Walsh’s presence has been felt—he’s started each of his last sixteen games, cementing his role as a legitimate contributor in his third NBA season.
Oddsmakers pegged the Celtics as 8.5-point favorites, with the over/under set at a robust 221.5 points—a line that proved prescient. Boston was a heavy -330 favorite on the moneyline, while Indiana faced long odds at +270 to pull off an upset. Recent history suggested a high-scoring affair, with three of the last four meetings between these teams eclipsing the 221.5-point mark, and seven of the Pacers’ previous nine games exceeding 220 points.
From the opening tip, Boston asserted its dominance. The Celtics’ offense was firing on all cylinders, with players like Sam Hauser, Baylor Scheierman, and Luka Garza making their presence felt on both ends of the court. Hauser and Scheierman provided perimeter shooting and defensive intensity, while Garza anchored the paint, contesting shots and grabbing key rebounds. On the Pacers’ side, T.J. McConnell tried to spark the offense, weaving through defenders and looking for open teammates, but Boston’s defense stifled many of Indiana’s early efforts.
Pascal Siakam, one of the Pacers’ marquee acquisitions, battled hard against Boston’s Jordan Walsh, often finding ways to slip past defenders for layups and mid-range jumpers. Despite his efforts, the Celtics’ depth and ball movement kept Indiana on its heels. Head coach Rick Carlisle, visibly animated on the sidelines, tried to rally his squad, but the Pacers struggled to keep pace with Boston’s relentless attack.
Throughout the first half, the Celtics’ guards, including Anfernee Simons and Payton Pritchard, orchestrated the offense with poise. Simons showcased his quick first step, while Pritchard’s shooting and court vision created open looks for teammates. Jaylen Brown, a mainstay of Boston’s core, delivered a scoring punch, attacking the rim and knocking down jumpers with confidence. Derrick White, another key contributor, provided a steady hand, defending Indiana’s perimeter threats and facilitating the Celtics’ offense.
Indiana tried to respond with contributions from Johnny Furphy and Andrew Nembhard, both of whom found pockets of space to get their shots off. Bennedict Mathurin and Quenton Jackson brought energy off the bench, even engaging in spirited discussions with referees as the game’s intensity ramped up. Still, the Celtics’ combination of size, skill, and discipline proved overwhelming.
By halftime, Boston had built a commanding lead, and the second half saw more of the same. The Celtics’ bench players made the most of their minutes, with Luka Garza finishing strong around the basket and Neemias Queta contributing in the paint. The Pacers, despite flashes of brilliance from Ethan Thompson and Micah Potter, couldn’t string together enough stops or scores to mount a serious comeback.
Photos from the game captured the action and emotions on the court: McConnell driving into traffic, Siakam exchanging high-fives with Nembhard, and Brown muscling through defenders for tough finishes. Head coach Joe Mazzulla looked on with satisfaction as his Celtics executed the game plan to near perfection. The Pacers’ bench, meanwhile, searched for answers as the deficit grew.
In the end, Boston’s 140-122 victory was a statement of intent. The Celtics’ offense clicked, their defense held firm, and their role players stepped up in the absence of stars like Tatum. For Indiana, the loss marked their seventh consecutive defeat, further complicating their season and raising questions about how they’ll regroup moving forward.
With this win, Boston keeps pressure on the top teams in the East and continues to build momentum. The Pacers, meanwhile, remain in search of answers as injuries and inconsistency derail their campaign. As both teams look ahead to their next matchups, Friday’s game stands as a clear reflection of where they are—and where they hope to go as the NBA season grinds on.