The Boston Celtics completed a stunning comeback to secure a 105-102 win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, clinching a 4-0 Eastern Conference finals victory and a spot in the NBA Finals. This marks the Celtics’ first appearance in the Finals since 2008, where they will face the winner between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.
For the third time in four games, the Pacers held a late fourth-quarter lead, only to see it erased by the Celtics. Despite a valiant effort from Indiana, they were unable to hold off the relentless Boston team, who rallied from an 89-82 deficit in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
Derrick White played a crucial role in the Celtics’ comeback, hitting a game-winning 3-pointer with 43.9 seconds remaining to give Boston their first lead of the quarter. Jaylen Brown also had a standout performance, earning ECF MVP honors for his efforts throughout the series.
The Pacers, who played without All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton for the second consecutive game, struggled to maintain their lead in the final minutes of the game. Their offense faltered down the stretch, going 0-4 from the field and turning the ball over twice in the last 3:32 of the game.
Despite a controversial non-call on a potential flagrant foul late in the game, the Pacers ultimately fell short, ending their season in heartbreaking fashion. While Indiana can look back on a successful campaign, they will have to regroup and come back stronger next season.
The Celtics’ resilience and clutch performances down the stretch propelled them to victory, setting the stage for an exciting NBA Finals matchup as they vie for their first championship in over a decade.
