Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers (Image via Getty) The Boston Celtics travel to Indianapolis on December 26, 2025, to face the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It is a matchup between a team trying to stay near the top of the East and one still stuck in a long rebuild.Boston comes in with steady form and a recent win over Indiana earlier in the week. The Pacers, short-handed and struggling to score, are once again looking for stability at home. The betting line reflects the gap, but injuries on both sides shape how this game may actually play out.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Injury report and rotation impact (December 26, 2025)
Both teams are missing key players, including their primary offensive engines.
Boston Celtics injuries vs Indiana Pacers
PlayerStatusReason Jayson Tatum Out Right Achilles repair Chris Boucher Out Personal reasons Ron Harper Jr. Out G League – two-way Max Shulga Out G League – two-way Amari Williams Out G League – two-way Jordan Walsh Probable Non-COVID illness
Indiana Pacers injuries vs the Boston Celtics
PlayerStatusReason Tyrese Haliburton Out Right Achilles tendon tear Isaiah Jackson Out Concussion Aaron Nesmith Out Left knee MCL sprain Ben Sheppard Out Left calf strain Obi Toppin Out Right foot stress fracture Taelon Peter Probable G League – two-wayWithout Jayson Tatum, Boston relies more on Jaylen Brown and Derrick White to carry the offense. Indiana is in a tougher spot, with Tyrese Haliburton unavailable and several rotation players also sidelined. Much of the Pacers’ offense now runs through Pascal Siakam.
Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers Game time, location, and recent form (December 26, 2025)
Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday night in Indianapolis. Boston Celtics are 18-11 and riding a three-game winning streak. The Celtics beat Indiana 103-95 on December 22 and controlled most of that game with defense and rebounding.Indiana Pacers are 6-24 and have dropped three straight at home. The Pacers rank last in the league in offensive efficiency, and scoring droughts have defined much of their season.
Celtics vs Pacers Matchups and on-court trends
Boston has a clear advantage inside. The Boston Celtics rank among the league’s best in two-point shooting and offensive rebounding. Indiana ranks last in rim defense, which has been a consistent issue.The Indiana Pacers also play at one of the slowest offensive paces in the league. Boston is comfortable in that type of game, ranking near the top in ball security and limiting turnovers.Jaylen Brown has averaged 31 points over his recent stretch. Siakam leads Indiana at 20 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. Derrick White’s three-point attempts and Payton Pritchard’s assist numbers rise with Tatum out.
How to watch tonight’s Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers game (December 26, 2025)
The game airs on NBC Sports Boston and FanDuel Sports Indiana. NBA League Pass offers streaming options, with local blackout rules applying.Boston is favored by 8.5 points. A lower-scoring game is expected, with the total set at 221.5. The Celtics’ defense and Indiana’s scoring issues point toward a controlled road win.