Celtics vs Pacers Match Player Stats: Box Scores & Highlights

The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers have gone back and forth all season. Pascal Siakam’s buzzer-beater on January 12 kept the Pacers’ playoff hopes alive, and Jaylen Brown’s 30-point explosion nine days later reasserted Boston’s dominance.

Latest Score: Pacers 98-96 Celtics (Jan 12, 2026) · Previous Score: Celtics 142-105 Pacers (Dec 27, 2024) · Celtics Top Scorer: Jaylen Brown 30 pts

Who is favored to win, Pacers or Celtics?

The Celtics hold a clear statistical edge in the matchup, winning seven of their last ten head-to-head meetings and averaging 119.1 points per game against the Pacers. According to StatMuse (NBA statistics aggregator), Boston has been the ATS best record in the 2025-26 season at 50-33, suggesting oddsmakers have consistently favored them. The Pacers managed a surprise 98-96 win on January 12, 2026, but that came with Jaylen Brown sidelined due to lower back spasms.

Prediction odds

Based on recent performance data, the Celtics enter most matchups as favorites. Their December 27, 2024 victory (142-105) demonstrated the team’s ceiling when shooting efficiently—51.1% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range. The AiScore head-to-head database shows Celtics winning 55 of 88 games since 2004 with an average PPG differential of 104.1 versus 100.2.

Key factors

Several variables influence the odds: player availability (Brown’s back spasms caused him to miss the January 12 game), recent momentum (Pacers’ first three-game winning streak of the season), and matchup context. The Land of Basketball historical database shows Celtics averaging 119.2 PPG to the Pacers’ 112.0 in the last five meetings.

Who is the highest paid Pacers player?

Based on the most recent salary data available, Pascal Siakam represents one of the Pacers’ highest-paid players, though Basketball-Reference (NBA salary database) provides the most current payroll breakdown. Siakam’s impact was undeniable in the January 12 matchup, scoring 21 points including the game-winning 7-foot bank shot with 6.1 seconds remaining.

Pacers payroll breakdown

The Pacers’ salary structure reflects a team built around balanced scoring rather than a single superstar contract. This approach has allowed Indiana to remain competitive against top-tier Eastern Conference opponents like the Celtics.

Top earners

Siakam’s performance on January 12 validated his standing among the Pacers’ top earners, particularly in high-stakes situations. His 21-point contribution combined with the decisive game-winner demonstrates the value of his contract in crucial moments against elite competition.

How did Haliburton get hurt in Game 7?

Tyrese Haliburton’s injury occurred during Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Celtics in May 2024, when he exited with a right leg injury. The ESPN game recap provides context for how significant player health impacts playoff performance. The Pacers ultimately lost the series to Boston, with the Celtics winning 126-110 on May 23 and 114-111 on May 25.

Injury details

Haliburton’s absence in that decisive game limited the Pacers’ offensive options against a Celtics team that capitalized on the mismatch. The injury occurred during a critical playoff stretch when Indiana was competing at the highest level.

Impact on game

Without Haliburton, the Pacers struggled to generate the same offensive rhythm they had shown throughout the series. The Celtics’ victory in that game-series sealed the outcome, demonstrating how a single player injury can alter playoff trajectories.

What are Celtics vs Pacers match player stats today?

The most recent player stats come from January 21, 2026, when the Celtics defeated the Pacers 119-104. StatMuse (NBA statistics aggregator) records Jaylen Brown scoring 30 points in that game, while ESPN team comparison data confirms the team shot 47.7% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range.

Box scores

Beyond Brown’s 30-point performance, key contributors included Payton Pritchard, who led the Celtics with 23 points and 8 assists during the January 12 loss (98-96 to the Pacers) according to ESPN official box score. Pascal Siakam countered with 21 points for Indiana, including the game-winner.

Top performers

Examining the last six games, StatMuse game stats database shows a pattern: Brown scores in bursts (30 pts Jan 21, 31 pts Dec 22), while Siakam delivers clutch performances (21 pts Jan 12). Pritchard emerges as Boston’s steady contributor when Brown is unavailable, logging 23 points as the Celtics’ leading scorer on January 12.

What is the Celtics vs Pacers box score?

The ESPN official box score for January 12, 2026 shows the Pacers edging the Celtics 98-96. Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 21 points and the game-winning basket with 6.1 seconds left. Payton Pritchard topped Boston with 23 points and 8 assists, though Jaylen Brown’s absence (lower back spasms) limited the Celtics’ offensive firepower.

Recent games

The CBS Sports game box score for December 22, 2025 documents Boston’s 103-95 victory, with Jaylen Brown scoring 31 points as the Celtics rallied. Boston shot 42.7% from the field and 32.5% from three-point range, while the Pacers managed just 38.8% and 29.7% respectively.

Player stats

The December 27, 2024 meeting (Celtics 142-105 Pacers) revealed Boston’s best shooting performance against Indiana—51.1% FG, 41.1% 3PT, and 52 rebounds according to StatMuse game statistics. The January 12, 2026 game showed Celtics at 45.5% FG, 25.7% 3PT, with 46 rebounds—demonstrating how efficiency correlates with outcomes.

Key Player Matchup Insights

Looking at the head-to-head data from Land of Basketball historical records, the Celtics have averaged 119.2 points per game to the Pacers’ 112.0 across the last five matchups—a +7.2 point differential that explains Boston’s 3-2 advantage in those games. However, the Pacers’ victory on January 12, 2026 with Siakam’s clutch shot demonstrates they can close tight games despite the scoring deficit.

The overall regular season head-to-head record spanning 201 games shows the Celtics leading 113-88, per Land of Basketball complete game log. This historical dominance makes each Pacers upset more notable, particularly when it occurs without Jaylen Brown available for the Celtics.