Pascal Siakam delivers crucial victory for Pacers against Celtics

The Indiana Pacers secured their third consecutive victory by beating the Boston Celtics 98-96, thanks to a decisive basket by Pascal Siakam with 6.1 seconds remaining. This performance allows the Pacers to distance themselves from the worst record in the NBA, now held by the Pelicans with 9 wins and 32 losses, compared to 9 wins and 31 losses for Indiana.

Pascal Siakam shined with 21 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, but it’s his game-winning shot that will be remembered. After a screen set at the top of the key on Derrick White, the Cameroonian recovered the ball from Andrew Nembhard, executed a fake and made an off-balance shot near the free throw line to give his team the victory.

Jay Huff shines, Boston hampered by absences

Jay Huff was the other hero of the evening for Indiana with 20 points, taking advantage of remarkable 3-point shooting and showing enough confidence to attack the rim with a reverse dunk. The Pacers dominated most of the game, particularly thanks to a 20-4 run to start the third quarter.

On the Boston side, Payton Pritchard tried to keep his team afloat with 23 points and 8 assists, but the absences of Tyrese Haliburton on the Pacers side and especially Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown (back injury) on the Celtics side weighed on the spectacle. The Celtics couldn’t find their range from distance and gave up « almost twice as many 3-pointers » as usual.

Joe Mazzulla’s surreal press conference

The post-game was marked by a surreal sequence. Asked six times by journalists, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla responded exactly the same thing to each question: Illegal screen. This protest targeted the decisive action by Pascal Siakam, where the Cameroonian forward set a screen on Derrick White, causing the Boston defender to lose his balance.

« ILLEGAL SCREEN (x6). »

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla’s response — SIX TIMES IN A ROW — to the media, after arguing that Pascal Siakam sent an illegal screen on his game-winning floater possession to beat them 🗣️

Thoughts? Was it an illegal screen? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/rtiFGDssAP

— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) January 13, 2026

This outburst comes in a tense context around officiating for the Celtics. Earlier in the week, Jaylen Brown was fined $35,000 by the NBA after publicly criticizing the referees following a loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

This victory gives hope to the Pacers after their thirteen consecutive losses, while Boston will have to digest this new frustration related to officiating in their quest for consistency this season.