Pacers hold off Celtics for first win streak of 2025-26 season
Pascal Siakam’s game-winner helps Pacers to third straight win after a franchise-worst start. Plus, an appreciation for the lack of whistles, Isaiah Jackson concussion update, and Boom change tip time
The Pacers have done something this season that once seemed impossible.
After a 6–31 start to the 2025–26 season — including a franchise-record 13 straight losses — they’ve not only returned to the win column, but put together a win streak.
Their first of the season.
That’s three straight victories.
In the middle of a four-game homestand, the Pacers recovered from a five-point deficit entering the second quarter and outscored the Boston Celtics the rest of the way in a 98–96 win.
It was punctuated by a memorable sequence in the final 30 seconds. After Celtics guard Derrick White banked in a floater with 29.1 seconds left, the Pacers called timeout and knew exactly what they wanted to run.
“We were getting everybody out of the way and it was him (Pascal Siakam) and Drew (Nembhard). And it was make a play, figure out the right play. And go make it.”
Siakam, a three-time All-Star, set a screen at the top of the arc for Nembhard, then received the pass. He attacked White, who was off balance following the screen. The Celtics bench was incensed, arguing the screen was illegal and should have resulted in an offensive foul.
No call came in a game that featured just 14 total fouls.
Siakam created off the dribble and sank a seven-foot floater that proved to be the game-winner.
“It’s been kind of hard for me to operate with a lot of teams,” Siakam said postgame, referencing the frequent two and three defenders teams have sent his way. “A lot of helping, a lot of if I spin, they don’t wanna spin. So trying to have vision on everything that’s happening on the floor, and trying to take the best shot possible.”
He did just that. Siakam finished with a team-high 21 points on 10-of-15 shooting, along with eight rebounds and six assists, as the Pacers earned just their ninth win of the season.
Afterward, head coach Rick Carlisle used his opening remarks to praise Siakam — not just for the shot, but for persevering through months of losses.
“It’s so fitting that Pascal has the ball on our last possession, hits what ends up being the game-winning shot and he just played one of his better games,” said Carlisle, who picked up his 1,002 career win as a head coach.
“The stats weren’t spectacular, but his level of discipline, patience, and everything, he goes 10 for 15 in a game that was very much a possession game. Really, really big time. And so congratulations to him. Just further makes the case for the All-Star team.
Fan voting concludes at 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Siakam ranked 10th among Eastern Conference players in the NBA’s second returns, so he’ll need the support of coaches to earn another selection.
In the opposite locker room, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was still upset about the no-call.
“Illegal screen,” he said six times in about 40 seconds.
That was all he offered.
On Tuesday afternoon, the NBA’s Last Two Minute report confirmed that Mazzulla was right.
Siakam (IND) is late to establish a screening position in White's (BOS) path and does not give him the time or distance to change direction and avoid the contact during the pick.
Boston should have had possession with roughly 15 seconds remaining.
Despite the missed call, the Celtics still had a chance. White launched a potential game-winning 3-pointer — and missed.
The Pacers held on.
Jay Huff nearly matched a career high with 20 points, returning to the starting lineup after Indiana went small, without a center, to start Saturday’s win over Miami.
