Boston Celtics vs Indiana Pacers (Image via Getty) The Indiana Pacers travel to TD Garden to face the Boston Celtics on January 21, and the matchup looks far different than it would under normal conditions. Injuries on both sides have removed key players and reshaped rotations, turning a game that once leaned clearly toward Boston into something far less certain.Boston still holds the better record and home-court advantage, but the gap narrows when you account for who is unavailable. Both teams are forced to simplify their approach, lean on depth, and manage minutes carefully. The result is a game that may come down to execution rather than talent.
Indiana Pacers Injury Report vs Boston Celtics (January 21, 2026)
Indiana Pacers’ biggest issue remains the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, who is still sidelined with a serious Achilles injury. Without him, the Pacers lack a true organizer on offense. The ball sticks more, possessions take longer, and scoring becomes harder to come by. Sitting at 10-34, Indiana has struggled to stay competitive for long stretches.Pascal Siakam has taken on the largest share of the offensive load. Much of Indiana’s scoring now comes from his isolation work, especially late in the shot clock. That responsibility has only increased with more injuries around him.Bennedict Mathurin is out with a thumb injury, and Obi Toppin remains sidelined due to a foot issue. Those absences thin out the wings and reduce the team’s athleticism. Taelon Peter and Ethan Thompson are questionable, which adds more uncertainty to an already short rotation. If Andrew Nembhard is available, he is expected to play heavy minutes by necessity.
Boston Celtics Injury Report vs Indiana Pacers (January 21, 2026)
Boston Celtics continue to operate without Jayson Tatum, who has missed the entire season so far with an Achilles injury. His absence has forced the Celtics to spread scoring and playmaking across the lineup, rather than leaning on one primary option.Jaylen Brown is listed as probable while dealing with a hamstring issue. He has carried much of the scoring burden, averaging 27.7 points, and his availability matters greatly. Josh Minott remains out with an ankle injury, while Ron Harper Jr., Max Shulga, and Amari Williams are unavailable due to G League assignments.Derrick White has been a oplayer who has not let down the Celtics. Whether you consider scoring or availability, White has always been there. Along with Payton Pritchard, he helps keep Boston’s offense functional even when lineups are facing serious injury issues.
How the Indiana Pacers vs Boston Celtics Game Is Likely to Unfold
With both Haliburton and Tatum out, the pace is expected to slow. Indiana will rely on half-court offense built around Siakam, while Boston will look to Brown, White, and Pritchard to generate points. Recent results show how small the margins are: Boston lost 104-103 to Detroit, and Indiana fell 113-104 to Philadelphia.Boston is still favored, especially at home, but injuries reduce the room for error. If Indiana can manage its minutes, limit turnovers, and stay close early, this game has a chance to remain tight into the final stretch.