Bennedict Mathurin’s clutch performance, including decisive free throws in the final moments, led the Indiana Pacers to a thrilling 133-131 victory over the Boston Celtics during Monday night’s NBA action.
The win was especially remarkable as the Pacers rallied following an injury to All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who suffered a hamstring strain in the second quarter.
The game took a dramatic turn when Haliburton slipped, causing him to do the splits and leave the court carried off by teammates. An MRI was scheduled for the following day. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle described the moment as deflating but emphasized the game’s significance.
“That was a very deflating moment,” Carlisle said. “(But) this was an important game. Every game that we play has the ability to be a season-defining game.”
“Really amazing effort from our team,” Carlisle explained. “A lot of emotions in this game, for a lot of reasons: you’re playing the best team in basketball, and Tyrese’s injury situation.”
Mathurin drew a foul from Kristaps Porzingis on a three-point attempt right before the buzzer. The call, after review, was confirmed. Mathurin hit the first two free throws and intentionally missed the third, contributing significantly to his 26-point tally, which included five 3-pointers. His performance was crucial in splitting the home series against the Eastern Conference’s leading team.
“I was excited,” Mathurin said. “It was a pretty good thing to be a part of.”
Jaylen Brown of the Celtics put up a formidable fight, scoring a season-high 40 points, despite the absence of Jayson Tatum due to an ankle sprain. Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Brown’s ability to adapt to the game’s flow.
“We all played a relatively decent offensive game,” Mazzulla said, “but we all have to be better on defense.”
The Celtics, however, faced criticism for their defensive play, with Mazzulla acknowledging the need for improvement. Despite trailing by nine points at halftime, the Pacers showcased a balanced attack with seven players scoring in double figures, including Aaron Nesmith, Myles Turner, and Buddy Hield.
A pivotal moment occurred late in the game when a foul called on Hield was overturned upon review, shifting momentum back to the Pacers.
Looking forward, the Celtics are set to host the Minnesota Timberwolves, while the Pacers will welcome the Washington Wizards in their upcoming games.
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