Bankers Life Fieldhouse was electric. With a deafening roar from a home crowd that has waited decades for this kind of playoff magic, the Indiana Pacers stormed to a 130–121 victory in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals, taking a commanding 3–1 series lead over the favored Boston Celtics.
The win wasn’t just a triumph—it was a statement.
And with it, the Pacers, once viewed as a fringe contender, are now just one win away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000.
Haliburton Shines Again
As has become routine during this playoff run, Tyrese Haliburton was the engine that drove Indiana. The 24-year-old floor general put on an absolute clinic, finishing with 28 points, 14 assists, and 5 rebounds, dazzling the crowd with no-look dimes, pull-up threes, and savvy leadership well beyond his years.
Every time the Celtics made a run, Haliburton was there to stop the bleeding—whether with a timely pass, a smooth floater, or a three that sent the building into a frenzy.
“He’s just in total command,” head coach Rick Carlisle said postgame. “This is what great point guards do in the biggest moments—they make everyone around them better.”
And make no mistake, everyone around him did get better.
Pacers’ Balanced Attack
While Haliburton led the charge, the Pacers’ success was built on a well-rounded offensive attack. Pascal Siakam continued his strong series with 23 points and 9 rebounds, punishing mismatches in the post and hitting timely mid-range jumpers.
Myles Turner had one of his best playoff games to date, adding 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks, anchoring the defense and stretching the floor with his perimeter shooting.
Off the bench, T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin brought the energy. McConnell’s hustle plays ignited the crowd, and Toppin’s back-to-back transition dunks in the third quarter broke the game wide open.
In total, the Pacers shot 54% from the field and 41% from three, dishing out a staggering 31 assists as a team. It was a masterclass in unselfish basketball—and it overwhelmed Boston’s defense.
Celtics Fight, But Fall Short
To their credit, the Celtics didn’t go down quietly. Jayson Tatum led the way with 35 points and 8 rebounds, doing everything he could to keep Boston within striking distance. Jaylen Brown chipped in with 27, and Jrue Holiday added 18 and solid defense, but it wasn’t enough.
Boston’s biggest problem? Defense. They simply couldn’t contain Indiana’s relentless movement and pace.
“We gave up 130 points,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said postgame. “That’s not who we are. We need to be better, and we will be in Game 5.”
The loss puts the Celtics in a dangerous position. After entering the series as the heavy favorites, they now face elimination in front of a restless TD Garden crowd. For a team with championship aspirations, falling short in the Conference Finals would be a bitter disappointment.
A Team Built for the Moment
The Pacers’ playoff surge hasn’t come out of nowhere—but it’s certainly surprised the league.
After acquiring Pascal Siakam at the trade deadline, Indiana started to look like more than just a fun young team. They became a real threat. Haliburton blossomed into a full-fledged star, the supporting cast gelled, and the team adopted an identity of fast-paced, unselfish basketball that proved hard to guard.
Now, on the biggest stage of the Eastern Conference, they’re thriving.
“This team believes in each other,” Siakam said postgame. “We’re not scared of the moment. We’re embracing it.”
And the fans are embracing it, too. Game 4 felt like a playoff party. The arena was rocking from tip-off to the final buzzer. Every made three, every Haliburton assist, every defensive stop was met with a roar. Indiana is a basketball state, and this run has brought the fever back in full force.
One Win Away
With the series now at 3–1, the Pacers are one win away from doing what few thought possible at the start of the season: punching their ticket to the NBA Finals.
Game 5 will take place in Boston, where the Celtics will be desperate to stave off elimination. Expect them to come out swinging, fueled by pride and urgency. But if Indiana plays the way they did in Game 4—with confidence, balance, and fearless execution—they have every reason to believe they can close it out on the road.
“We’re not satisfied,” Haliburton said. “We know what’s at stake. We’re locked in.”
The Road Ahead
Should the Pacers finish the job, they’ll meet the winner of the Western Conference Finals, where the Dallas Mavericks currently lead the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Regardless of the opponent, Indiana’s emergence is already one of the most thrilling stories of this postseason.
They’ve captured hearts, defied expectations, and brought hope back to a franchise that has long waited for a return to relevance.
One more win, and they’ll be back on the game’s biggest stage.
And based on what we’ve seen so far, don’t count them out.
