NBA Monday Night: Pacers Welcome Celtics to Indianapolis
The big league delivers another thrilling matchup this Monday evening. The Indiana Pacers will host the Boston Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM Eastern Time on January 12, 2026.
Fans can catch the action exclusively on Peacock and NBCS-BOS. Online viewers have options too. Fubo and Prime Video will stream the game live for all subscribers.
Team Form and Key Absences
The Indiana Pacers enter this contest with a challenging season record. They have secured only 8 victories in their 39 games so far. A significant blow comes from the absence of star guard Tyrese Haliburton. He suffered an Achilles injury back in July 2025 and remains sidelined for the season.
Despite this, the Pacers roster features capable players like Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam. They will need to step up against a strong Celtics side.
The Boston Celtics boast a more successful campaign. They have won 24 of their 38 games this season. Their performance relies heavily on guards Payton Pritchard and Derrick White. Both players have been instrumental in the team's success.
Expected Starting Lineups
Coaches have revealed their probable starting fives for the game.
Indiana Pacers:
- Aaron Nesmith (Small Forward)
- Pascal Siakam (Power Forward)
- Jay Huff (Center)
- T.J. McConnell (Point Guard)
- Ben Sheppard (Shooting Guard)
Boston Celtics:
- Payton Pritchard (Point Guard)
- Derrick White (Shooting Guard)
- Neemias Queta (Center)
- Hugo Gonzalez (Small Forward)
- Jordan Walsh (Power Forward)
Injury Report for Both Sides
Several players are dealing with health issues ahead of the clash.
Indiana Pacers Injury List:
- Andrew Nembhard - QUESTIONABLE (back)
- Isaiah Jackson - OUT (concussion)
- Bennedict Mathurin - OUT (thumb)
- Obi Toppin - OUT (foot)
- Tyrese Haliburton - OUT (Achilles)
Boston Celtics Injury List:
- Jaylen Brown - QUESTIONABLE (lower back)
- Sam Hauser - QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
- Josh Minott - OUT (ankle)
- Jayson Tatum - OUT (Achilles)
Game Prediction and Player Stats
Scoring trends suggest a potentially high-point affair. The Pacers have exceeded 225.5 total points in 22 of their 39 games. Similarly, Celtics games have hit that over mark in 22 of 38 contests this season.
For Indiana, Pascal Siakam has been a consistent performer. He averages 23.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. Andrew Nembhard, if he plays, contributes 17.6 points and 7 assists on average.
The Celtics counter with their own backcourt stars. Payton Pritchard puts up 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. Derrick White leads the team with 18.6 points and 5.2 assists per contest this season.
With key players out on both sides, this game will test the depth of each roster. The Celtics appear favored based on their superior record, but the Pacers will fight hard on their home court.
