The Boston Celtics’ 103-95 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night at TD Garden was a game of two distinct identities - one half sluggish and out of sync, the other a gritty, team-driven comeback that showcased the depth and resilience of this roster.
In the first half, Boston looked flat - and Indiana took full advantage. The Pacers, not exactly known for living and dying by the three, came out firing from deep and hit at a scorching 60% clip from beyond the arc.
That’s a tough pill to swallow against any opponent, but especially when it’s coming from a team that typically doesn’t rely on high-volume perimeter shooting. Indiana’s early success wasn’t just about hot shooting; it was about energy, execution, and a clear sense of urgency that the Celtics simply didn’t match in the opening 24 minutes.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla clearly wasn’t thrilled with what he saw, and he made a bold move to start the second half: he benched his starters. It was a wake-up call - and it worked.
Enter the bench unit, and with it, a spark that flipped the script. Anfernee Simons dropped in 11 points, providing the kind of offensive punch the Celtics had been missing early.
Hugo Gonzalez was a force on the glass and on the defensive end, tallying 6 points, 11 rebounds, a steal, and 2 blocks - the kind of stat line that doesn’t just show up in the box score, but changes the momentum of a game. Luka Garza added 6 points, 9 boards, 3 assists, and a block of his own, anchoring the interior with physicality and poise.
This second unit didn’t just tread water - they clawed Boston back into the game. By the time the starters returned, the energy had shifted. The Celtics’ top group came back in with a renewed sense of purpose, closed the gap, and ultimately slammed the door shut on Indiana’s upset bid.
What this game showed wasn’t just that Boston can win ugly - it’s that they have the depth and coaching flexibility to adjust on the fly when things aren’t going according to plan. Mazzulla’s willingness to shake things up mid-game and trust his bench sent a clear message: effort matters, and minutes are earned.
And for the Celtics, who have championship aspirations, games like this - the ones where you have to grind, adapt, and rely on the full roster - might just be the ones that shape a team’s identity down the stretch.