Boston’s Jaylen Brown dribbles the ball in the Celtics’ victory over Indiana in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals AFP
Jaylen Brown delivered a stellar performance, scoring 40 points to lead the Boston Celtics to a 126-110 victory over the Indiana Pacers, securing a 2-0 lead in the NBA Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers faced additional challenges with an injury to star player Tyrese Haliburton.
Brown matched his career playoff high, helping the top-seeded Celtics break their Game 2 curse. Despite winning a league-best 64 regular-season games, Boston had previously lost the second game in each of the first two playoff rounds.
Now, heading to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Saturday, the Celtics are firmly in control of the best-of-seven series. The Pacers, typically strong at home, are now troubled by Haliburton’s injury, who exited late in the third quarter with a left hamstring issue and did not return.
Brown, who forced overtime with a clutch three-pointer in Game 1, scored 10 points during a crucial 20-0 run in the second quarter, putting Boston ahead for good.
“It’s the playoffs, man,” Brown said. “Whatever it takes to get a ‘W’ – on defense, on offense – that’s what I’m going to do.”
Teammate Jrue Holiday praised Brown’s performance: “He has it going. Great player, great leader, but wants to win and takes things into his own hands. Having a guy like that on my side, I love it. I’ll ride for him.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla noted Brown’s ability to keep his teammates involved despite only recording two assists. “He made the right play – that’s the most important thing,” Mazzulla said.
The game saw a tight first quarter with 10 lead changes, ending with Indiana up 27-25. However, Holiday’s three-pointer at the end of the quarter sparked Boston’s scoring spree, giving them a 42-27 lead midway through the second quarter.
Despite a strong comeback attempt by the Pacers, led by Pascal Siakam’s four key baskets, including a dunk, the Celtics maintained a 56-51 advantage at halftime. Siakam continued to push, pulling Indiana within two points early in the third quarter.
Boston responded with a 16-5 run, extending their lead to 13 points heading into the fourth quarter. The Pacers couldn’t close the gap, failing to get within double digits.
back home Saturday. pic.twitter.com/XQRdvALUFV
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 24, 2024
Jayson Tatum overcame a slow start to score 23 points, while Derrick White also added 23 points, and Holiday contributed 15 points and 10 assists. Siakam led Indiana with 28 points, and Haliburton had 10 points and eight assists before his injury.
“We just weren’t quite there,” Siakam said, reflecting on the game. “They had a lot of good runs. We were close but just not quite there.”
Siakam highlighted Boston’s edge in rebounding and second-chance points, with the Pacers committing 16 turnovers. “They just played better,” he added. “We’ve got to look at ourselves in the mirror and move on and think about the next game.”
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted Haliburton’s ongoing hamstring issue and the chest blow he received during the game. “We’ll know more tomorrow and probably even more on Saturday,” Carlisle said.
