Boston Celtics Three Point Barrage Stuns Indiana Pacers in Dominant Road Win
The Boston Celtics continued their impressive surge through the Eastern Conference standings on Friday night, delivering a masterclass in offensive efficiency during a 140-122 victory over the Indiana Pacers. In a game that saw Boston overcome a sluggish start, the Celtics' perimeter shooting proved to be the difference maker. Behind a game high 30 points from Jaylen Brown and a career night from Payton Pritchard, the Celtics secured their fourth consecutive win and moved to 19-11 on the season. The victory also marked the start of a critical five game road trip for the defending Eastern Conference contenders.
The game began with the Indiana Pacers looking like the aggressors on their home floor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Capitalizing on a series of Boston turnovers and early defensive lapses, Indiana raced out to a 15 point lead midway through the first quarter. The Pacers' backcourt, led by Andrew Nembhard, exploited gaps in the Celtics' perimeter defense, while Indiana's second unit provided an early spark. However, the Celtics' veteran poise shone through as they methodically chipped away at the deficit, ending the opening period within striking distance.
The Second Quarter Surge
The momentum shifted dramatically in the second quarter, a period that will likely be remembered as one of Boston's most dominant of the 2025-2026 campaign. The Celtics outscored the Pacers 47-22 in the frame, turning a double digit deficit into a commanding 14 point halftime lead. The offensive explosion was fueled by a relentless barrage of three pointers. Sam Hauser, providing elite floor spacing off the bench, was nearly perfect from deep, finishing the half with a series of triples that silenced the Indiana crowd.
Jaylen Brown was the engine that kept the Celtics running. With Jayson Tatum sidelined due to an Achilles injury, Brown stepped into the primary scoring role with seamless authority. He attacked the rim with ferocity and knocked down mid range jumpers to keep the Pacers' defense off balance. Brown’s 30 points on 13 of 20 shooting marked his eighth straight game with 30 or more points, putting him within one game of Larry Bird’s franchise record for consecutive 30 point performances.
Bench Contributions and Perimeter Dominance
While the stars performed as expected, it was the depth of the Boston roster that truly overwhelmed Indiana. Payton Pritchard turned in one of the most complete performances of his career, finishing with 29 points and nine rebounds. His ability to push the pace in transition and find his own shot from beyond the arc has made him an indispensable part of Joe Mazzulla’s rotation. Pritchard’s energy was infectious, particularly during a 13-0 run in the second quarter that gave Boston its first lead of the night.
The Celtics’ shooting statistics were staggering. As a team, Boston connected on 20 of 39 attempts from three point range, a 51 percent clip that left the Indiana defense scrambling. Derrick White contributed significantly to the effort, adding 21 points and six assists while playing his usual brand of elite "connector" basketball. Even with the Pacers hitting 18 threes of their own, they simply could not keep pace with the efficiency and volume of the Boston attack.
Struggle Continues for Indiana
For the Indiana Pacers, the loss was another chapter in a difficult season that has seen them fall to 6-25, the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Despite a valiant 18 point effort from Andrew Nembhard and double digit contributions from T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin, the Pacers lacked the defensive discipline to stop the Celtics' transition game. Indiana struggled with ball security, committing turnovers that led directly to 24 Boston points.
The absence of their own superstar, Tyrese Haliburton, continues to loom large over the Pacers' season. Without his elite playmaking and leadership, the offense often stagnates during critical stretches. Coach Rick Carlisle experimented with 13 different players, including newcomer Micah Potter, but the searching for a consistent rotation continues as the team looks toward the draft lottery.
The Celtics now head to Portland for a Sunday matchup, looking to keep their winning streak alive and maintain their hold on the third seed in the East. With Jaylen Brown playing at an All NBA level and the bench providing historic production, Boston looks every bit like a championship contender despite their current injury hurdles. For the Pacers, a quick turnaround leads them to Miami for a back to back, where they hope to snap what has become a seven game losing streak.