What started as a promising effort at home turned sour late, as the Pacers faded against the Thunder on Thursday night, ultimately falling 120-114. Their reward? A trip to Boston to face the Celtics on Friday, the first game of a brutal back-to-back.
Wins are beautiful, and losses are ugly—regardless of how they unfold.
Thursday’s experience drove this point home for me, as I followed the Pacers while braving the cold, damp atmosphere of Soldier Field. My Seahawks were fighting for a playoff spot against the Bears, and my family outing had me and my sons tracking Indiana’s hot start, which ultimately dissolved in crunch time.
The Seahawks won an ugly 6-3 game, stunningly devoid of touchdowns but thrilling in its own way as they clung to playoff hopes. The Bears crowd was electric despite the brutal weather, making their team’s desperation palpable. For the Seahawks, an ugly win was still a win.
Meanwhile, the Pacers’ loss was the opposite. They showed flashes of brilliance before succumbing to a late collapse.
Game Recap: Pacers vs. Thunder
The Pacers held OKC to just 19 points in the first quarter—a defensive gem. They put up 61 points in the first half against the league’s best defense—another bright spot. Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Bennedict Mathurin filled the offensive void left by Tyrese Haliburton, who struggled against Lu Dort’s suffocating defense, managing only two shots and zero points by halftime.
Yet, the Pacers’ recurring struggles late in games against top-tier opponents reared their head again. The memory of their playoff series against Boston last May loomed large, when they let strong leads slip in three of four games.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander stole the show for the Thunder, finishing with 45 points, including nine in the final minute to seal the victory. The Pacers’ inability to find a consistent closer was glaring. Haliburton and Siakam are expected to fill that role, but Haliburton’s hesitant six-shot night highlighted the gap.
Haliburton’s lone basket in the fourth quarter with 3:42 remaining offered a glimmer of hope, bringing him to four points for the night. But the Pacers failed to score for another two and a half minutes, while Gilgeous-Alexander carried OKC to the finish line.
The Pacers’ “take-what-the-defense-gives-you” offense worked until it didn’t. Against elite teams, their lack of an assertive closer is unsustainable.
On to Boston
Now the Pacers face a tough back-to-back in Boston, a daunting challenge made worse by their emotional letdown. The Celtics, coming off two consecutive losses for the first time all season, will be hungry to rebound.
The Pacers, meanwhile, must recover quickly after seeing a five-game win streak snapped. Despite Thursday’s loss, they need to maintain their solid play, knowing the end result may not be favorable in Boston.
Injury Updates
Myles Turner, playing through an oblique contusion, logged a double-double with five blocks against OKC. However, Obi Toppin suffered a sprained ankle and is unlikely to play Friday. His ability to play through injuries is impressive, but a back-to-back is a tall ask.
For the Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis exited their Christmas Day game early and is questionable. Jrue Holiday also missed their last game and remains uncertain for Friday.
Pacers vs. Celtics
Where: TD Garden, Boston, MA
When: Friday, Dec. 27, 2024, 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan
Odds: Pacers +12.5
Projected Starters
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner
Celtics: Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis
Injuries
Pacers:
Myles Turner (oblique) – questionable
Aaron Nesmith (ankle) – out
James Wiseman (Achilles) – out
Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) – out
Celtics:
Jrue Holiday (shoulder) questionable
Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) – questionable
