Celtics to Battle Pacers Without Top Scorer Tatum
The Boston Celtics will hit the road on January 12 to face the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They will do so without their leading scorer, Jayson Tatum, who remains sidelined due to injury. This absence has become a defining feature of Boston's current season.
Why Jayson Tatum Is Not Playing
Jayson Tatum continues to recover from a torn ACL that he suffered earlier in the 2025–26 NBA season. This serious injury followed persistent Achilles problems that troubled him during last year's playoffs. The Celtics have officially listed Tatum as out for the Pacers game. No recent updates suggest his return is imminent.
Despite missing Tatum for most of the season, Boston has maintained a strong position. The team enters this matchup with a solid 24–14 record. This places them third in the competitive Eastern Conference standings.
How Boston Is Adjusting Without Tatum
The Celtics have relied on balanced team play and depth to compensate for Tatum's absence. Jaylen Brown has stepped up significantly, taking on a larger offensive role. He is currently averaging career-high numbers with 29.5 points and 5.0 assists per game.
However, Brown himself is listed as questionable for this game due to a lower back issue. Other players have also increased their contributions. Payton Pritchard has handled more responsibilities at point guard. Derrick White continues to provide steady performance on both offense and defense.
Sam Hauser is another player listed as questionable, dealing with a hamstring injury. Despite these concerns, Boston brings a road win streak into Indianapolis, showing their resilience.
Indiana Pacers Also Missing Key Players
The Indiana Pacers are dealing with their own significant absences. Their top player, Tyrese Haliburton, is out with an ACL injury. This creates a major gap in the Pacers' offensive strategy.
Indiana enters the game with an 8–31 record. The team will need to rely heavily on Pascal Siakam, along with contributions from Aaron Nesmith and T.J. McConnell, to remain competitive.
Game Outlook and Expectations
Boston is heavily favored to win this game, even though they are playing on the road. With both teams missing their primary scorers, analysts expect a lower-scoring contest. Indiana has exceeded 225.5 total points in only 22 of their 39 games this season.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. While Tatum remains unavailable, this matchup offers another opportunity to see how Boston continues to find ways to win without their star player.
