In Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Boston Celtics secured a commanding 126-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers, seizing a 2-0 series lead. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with an impressive 40-point performance, while Jayson Tatum and Derrick White contributed 23 points each.
The Pacers suffered a setback as their All-Star point guard, Tyrese Haliburton, exited the game in the third quarter due to left leg soreness. Coach Rick Carlisle confirmed that Haliburton’s status for future games is uncertain, citing a left hamstring injury that had previously sidelined him for 10 games in January.
Despite initially trailing 27-22 in the first quarter, the Celtics staged a remarkable 20-0 run, establishing a lead they maintained throughout the game. Boston dominated the paint, outscoring the Pacers 54-34, utilizing their size advantage to drive to the basket effectively.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers’ scoring efforts with 28 points on an impressive 13-of-17 shooting, but lacked substantial support from his teammates, with no other Indiana player surpassing 16 points. Coach Carlisle opted to rest his starters early in the fourth quarter, providing opportunities for the bench players to contribute.
Reflecting on the decision to deploy bench players, Carlisle highlighted their energy and effort, stating, “It was an opportunity to get some energetic, fresh guys out there to fight. And they did some good things.” He also noted Siakam’s fatigue, emphasizing the need for rotation adjustments.
Indiana faced a similar 2-0 deficit in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks but managed to stage a comeback, winning Games 6 and 7 to advance. With Haliburton’s injury adding to their challenges, the Pacers will need to regroup as they seek to reverse their fortunes in the series against the Celtics.
