The latest completed Celtics vs Pacers game before September 28, 2026, was played on January 21, 2026. Boston beat Indiana 119-104 at TD Garden. The game had several strong individual performances, but Boston had the better balance across the full lineup. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics, while Pascal Siakam was Indiana’s main scorer. Looking at the Celtics vs Pacers match player stats helps explain how Boston built its lead and why Indiana could not complete its second-half comeback.
This guide covers the main scorers, rebounders, passers, shooters, and defensive players from the game. It also looks at team shooting, assists, rebounding, plus/minus, and the way the game changed from quarter to quarter. You will also find some useful context from the 2025-26 season series. That makes it easier to understand the result instead of judging the game only by the final score.
Celtics vs Pacers Match Result and Game Summary
Boston started the game strongly and took control early. The Celtics scored 30 points in the first quarter, while Indiana managed 20. Boston then added 36 points in the second quarter and held Indiana to 26. That gave the Celtics a 66-46 lead at halftime. At one stage, Boston had pushed its advantage to 23 points. The Celtics were getting scoring from several players, so Indiana could not simply focus on stopping one option.
Indiana played much better after halftime and won the third quarter 32-25. The Pacers managed to cut the lead to nine points, which briefly gave them a chance to make the game close. Boston responded before the pressure became too serious. The Celtics then won the fourth quarter 28-26 and finished with a 119-104 victory. Boston’s strong first half turned out to be the biggest difference because Indiana never fully recovered from the early gap.
Boston Celtics Player Stats and Top Performers
Jaylen Brown had the strongest all-around performance for Boston. He finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Brown shot 11-for-22 from the field and made seven of nine free throws. He also recorded three steals, which added defensive value to his scoring. Sam Hauser gave Boston another important boost by scoring 17 points. He made six of eight shots from the field and went 5-for-7 from three-point range.
Neemias Queta also finished with 17 points and came close to a double-double with nine rebounds. His biggest defensive contribution was his five blocked shots, which made it harder for Indiana to score near the basket. Derrick White added 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Payton Pritchard recorded 10 points, five rebounds, and eight assists. He also had a +26 plus/minus, which was the highest mark among Boston players. The Celtics also received useful bench points from Anfernee Simons and Luka Garza.
Indiana Pacers Player Stats and Top Performers
Pascal Siakam was Indiana’s best scorer in the game. He finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Siakam made 12 of 21 field-goal attempts and also hit four of seven shots from three-point range. His scoring helped Indiana stay competitive during the second half. Johnny Furphy also made a useful contribution with 10 points and eight rebounds. He shot 4-for-7 from the field and made two three-pointers.
Jarace Walker gave Indiana strong scoring from the bench with 19 points. He also had three rebounds, two assists, and two steals. Andrew Nembhard scored nine points, grabbed four rebounds, and led the game with nine assists. His shooting was less efficient, as he made three of 11 attempts. Micah Potter added nine points, while Ben Sheppard finished with eight. Indiana had several players involved, but much of the scoring still came from Siakam and Walker.
Team Stats That Decided the Game
Boston had the clear advantage in shooting efficiency. The Celtics made 42 of 88 field-goal attempts, which gave them a shooting percentage of 47.7%. Indiana went 37-for-94 and finished at 39.4%. Boston also had the better night from three-point range. The Celtics shot 38.7% from deep, while Indiana made 26.7% of its three-point attempts. Boston was also stronger at the free-throw line, making 23 of 25 attempts compared with Indiana’s 18 of 23.
Rebounding also played a major part in the result. Boston finished with 54 total rebounds, while Indiana had 42. The Celtics collected 14 offensive rebounds, which gave them extra chances after missed shots. Indiana did move the ball well and recorded 31 assists compared with Boston’s 24. Still, assists only become valuable when shots are finished. Boston made more of its chances and also controlled the boards. The Celtics added six blocks, compared with two for Indiana.
How the Game Changed Quarter by Quarter
Boston set the tone early, especially with its outside shooting. Sam Hauser hit three early three-pointers, including two within the first 68 seconds. That forced Indiana to defend more of the floor and gave Boston early confidence. The Celtics led 30-20 after the first quarter and continued to push the pace in the second. With just over three minutes left before halftime, Boston had moved ahead 57-34. Brown’s scoring and the Celtics’ rebounding helped keep the lead comfortable.
Indiana’s best period came in the third quarter. Siakam found his rhythm, and the Pacers became more efficient on offense. Indiana cut the margin to nine points and briefly put pressure on Boston. Anfernee Simons then made an important three-pointer for the Celtics, which helped stop Indiana’s run. The Pacers never managed to turn the game into a one-possession contest. Boston stayed calm in the fourth quarter and protected the lead well enough to close out the win.
Celtics vs Pacers 2025-26 Season Series and Context
Boston and Indiana met four times during the 2025-26 regular season. The Celtics won 103-95 on December 22, 2025. Four days later, Boston won again, this time by a much bigger 140-122 score in Indiana. The Pacers answered on January 12, 2026, when they earned a narrow 98-96 home win. Boston then took the January 21 meeting 119-104. That gave the Celtics a 3-1 advantage in the season series.
The scores also show how different one matchup can be from another. One game was decided by only two points, while another became a high-scoring contest with 262 total points. Lineups also matter when comparing results. The January 21 game did not include every major player normally linked with these teams. Jayson Tatum was inactive for Boston, while Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin were among Indiana’s inactive players. That is why one box score should not be treated as a perfect picture of both teams at full strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the latest completed Celtics vs Pacers game in 2026?
The latest completed meeting before September 28, 2026, was played on January 21, 2026. Boston won the game 119-104 at TD Garden.
Who led the Celtics in scoring?
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 30 points. He also added 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals, making him one of the most complete performers in the game.
Who led the Pacers in scoring?
Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 32 points. He also grabbed 10 rebounds and added four assists while shooting efficiently from the field and three-point range.
Who had the most assists in the game?
Andrew Nembhard led all players with nine assists for Indiana. Payton Pritchard led Boston with eight assists.
Who made the most three-pointers?
Sam Hauser made the most three-pointers in the game. He went 5-for-7 from deep and finished with 17 points.
Who had the most blocks?
Neemias Queta led the game with five blocked shots. He also scored 17 points and collected nine rebounds, giving Boston a strong presence near the basket.
Final Thoughts
The Celtics vs Pacers match player stats show that Boston won because of more than one strong performance. Jaylen Brown led the scoring, but Hauser’s shooting, Queta’s rim protection, Pritchard’s passing, and Boston’s rebounding all played important roles. Indiana received an excellent game from Pascal Siakam and a strong bench performance from Jarace Walker, but the Pacers could not match Boston’s shooting efficiency.
The easiest way to understand a game like this is to look beyond total points. Shooting percentage, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, and plus/minus can all help explain what happened. In this matchup, Boston created an early lead, shot the ball better, and controlled the glass. Indiana improved after halftime, but the Celtics had already built enough of an advantage to stay in control and finish with a comfortable win.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information and was written with AI assistance. Sports results, schedules, rosters, and player information can change. The article may not cover every detail, so readers should check official NBA information or other trusted sources for the latest updates.