The Indiana Pacers ran into a familiar wall on Wednesday night in Boston - a slow start that proved too much to overcome against a Celtics team that doesn’t often let leads slip away. The result? A 119-104 loss that followed a frustrating script: fall behind early, claw back to make it respectable, but ultimately come up short.
Boston poured in 66 points in the first half, building a lead that ballooned past 20. The Pacers did fight back - trimming the deficit to 10 in the third quarter - but never got closer.
It was Indiana’s third straight loss and their fourth in the last five games. The silver lining?
They’re done with the Celtics for the season, having dropped the series 1-3.
Now, they head into a tough back-to-back stretch, closing out their two-game road trip with a visit to Oklahoma City on Friday. That matchup at the Paycom Center - the same arena where their season ended in heartbreak in Game 7 of the NBA Finals last June - looms large, especially with a winter storm bearing down on Indiana.
Siakam Shines, But the Threes Don’t Fall
If there was a bright spot in Boston, it was Pascal Siakam. The newly acquired forward looked every bit the All-Star, dropping 32 points, knocking down four triples, and grabbing 10 boards. He was aggressive, efficient, and gave the Pacers a fighting chance when they needed a lift.
But outside of Siakam, the Pacers' shooting from deep was ice cold. They finished just 12-of-45 from beyond the arc - a rough 26.7% clip. Jay Huff, Aaron Nesmith, and Andrew Nembhard combined to go 0-for-12 from three, and that kind of shooting drought is hard to survive against a team like the Celtics.
Aaron Nesmith’s slump has become a real concern. Since returning from a knee injury that sidelined him for 19 games, he just hasn’t looked like the same player.
In January, he’s gone from a reliable 40% shooter from deep to just 26%. The last six games have been particularly brutal - 5-for-37 from three, good for just 13.5%.
It’s not just the numbers, either. You can see the frustration in his body language.
He’s pressing, trying to do more, and it’s throwing off his rhythm.
Nembhard, meanwhile, continues to ride the ups and downs of running the show in Tyrese Haliburton’s absence. There are flashes of brilliance - smart reads, poised drives - but also stretches where the offense stagnates. It’s part of the growing pains, and head coach Rick Carlisle has been clear: this is a season for growth, even if it hurts.
Walker’s Quiet Rise
One player who’s quietly making the most of his minutes? Jarace Walker.
The rookie forward is starting to put it together, showing increased confidence and poise over the last 11 games. He’s shooting over 50% from three in January and has kept his turnovers in check - only one multi-turnover outing this month, and that came in the chaotic loss to Detroit that’s become a statistical outlier for the whole team.
Walker’s first bucket against Boston was a glimpse of what he can become. Matched up against the smaller Payton Pritchard, he caught the ball near the free throw line, took two strong dribbles, then calmly stepped through for a smooth one-handed floater.
It was assertive, controlled, and efficient - the kind of move that shows maturity beyond his years. He didn’t force it.
He just made the right play.
Trade Winds Blowing
With the trade deadline looming on February 5, the Pacers find themselves in the thick of the rumor mill. One name that’s surfaced in recent reports is Bennedict Mathurin, with Indiana reportedly discussing a deal with the Pelicans involving young big man Yves Missi.
Missi is just 21 and has intriguing upside, but he’s not the kind of plug-and-play big the Pacers need right now. He’s raw, still developing, and wouldn’t be ready to make a meaningful impact this season - especially with Haliburton expected to return and Siakam still in his prime.
The Pacers are in a two-year window where they need frontcourt help that can contribute immediately. A veteran like Nikola Vucevic - while not a perfect fit defensively - at least brings scoring and rebounding consistency. Missi might be a nice long-term piece, but unless he’s part of a larger package with future assets, he doesn’t move the needle for a team trying to stay in the mix this season.
Indiana’s front office faces a tough balancing act: build for the future while maximizing the present. With Haliburton sidelined and the team struggling to stay afloat, the need for a reliable big man is clear. Whether it’s a short-term rental or a longer-term solution, they’ll need to make a move that gives this roster a better chance to compete - now.
Next Up: Thunder Await
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
When: Friday, January 23, 2026 - 8:00 p.m.
ET
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan
Odds: Pacers +16.5
Projected Starters:
Pacers: Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, Pascal Siakam, Jay Huff
Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, Luguentz Dort, Chet Holmgren
Injuries:
Pacers: Quenton Jackson (ankle) - questionable, Bennedict Mathurin (thumb) - out, Obi Toppin (hamstring) - out, Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) - out
The Thunder are rolling, and the Paycom Center hasn’t been kind to the Pacers. With Haliburton still sidelined and the team looking for answers, this is another gut-check moment for a young squad trying to find its footing in the thick of the season.