The Pacers vs Celtics matchup features the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics of the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Boston leads the all-time regular-season series 113-88 through the 2025-26 season. The Celtics also swept Indiana 4-0 in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. Their next scheduled meeting is January 20, 2027, at TD Garden.
Key Takeaways
- Boston leads Indiana 113-88 in all-time regular-season meetings through 2025-26.
- The Celtics won the 2025-26 regular-season series 3-1.
- The most recent meeting ended with Boston beating Indiana 119-104 on January 21, 2026.
- Boston swept Indiana 4-0 in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.
- The teams are scheduled to meet three times in the 2026-27 regular season: January 20, March 2, and March 30, 2027.
Pacers vs Celtics: Head-to-Head Record
The Pacers and Celtics have a long history as Eastern Conference opponents. Through the end of the 2025-26 regular season, Boston holds an 113-88 advantage over Indiana in 201 regular-season meetings. Boston has also held a strong home-court edge, winning 71 of 100 home regular-season games against the Pacers according to the historical series data.
| Category | Pacers | Celtics |
|---|---|---|
| Regular-season meetings | 201 | 201 |
| Regular-season wins | 88 | 113 |
| Regular-season losses | 113 | 88 |
| 2025-26 season series | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 Eastern Conference Finals | 0 | 4 |
The overall record does not tell the entire story, however. Indiana has produced several strong recent regular-season performances against Boston, including a 135-132 overtime victory in October 2024 and a 123-114 win in Boston in December 2024.
Recent Pacers vs Celtics Results
The most useful starting point for current matchup research is the 2025-26 season.
2025-26 Regular-Season Series
Boston won three of the four meetings:
| Date | Matchup | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Dec. 22, 2025 | Pacers at Celtics | Boston 103-95 |
| Dec. 26, 2025 | Celtics at Pacers | Boston 140-122 |
| Jan. 12, 2026 | Celtics at Pacers | Indiana 98-96 |
| Jan. 21, 2026 | Pacers at Celtics | Boston 119-104 |
The four-game series shows an important pattern. Boston won both games at TD Garden, while the teams split the two games in Indianapolis.
The final meeting was the most recent completed Pacers-Celtics game. Boston won 119-104 at TD Garden on January 21, 2026. Indiana’s only win in the 2025-26 series came nine days earlier, when the Pacers edged Boston 98-96 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Pacers vs Celtics 2026-27 Schedule
The 2026-27 regular-season schedule includes three Pacers vs Celtics games.
| Date | Matchup | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 20, 2027 | Pacers at Celtics | TD Garden |
| Mar. 2, 2027 | Celtics at Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
| Mar. 30, 2027 | Celtics at Pacers | Gainbridge Fieldhouse |
The first meeting is scheduled for January 20, 2027, at 7:30 p.m. ET in Boston. The NBA’s schedule also lists March 2 in Indianapolis and March 30 in Indianapolis.
Because the 2026-27 regular season has not yet produced completed Pacers-Celtics results at the time of writing, readers should not confuse these scheduled games with completed results. That distinction matters for searches such as “Pacers vs Celtics 2027” and “Pacers vs Celtics score.”
Pacers vs Celtics Playoff History
The biggest chapter in the modern rivalry came in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.
Boston entered that series as the No. 1 seed, while Indiana was the No. 6 seed. The Pacers reached the conference finals after defeating the New York Knicks in the second round. It was Indiana’s first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014.
Boston ultimately won the series 4-0.
| Game | Result |
|---|---|
| Game 1 | Celtics 133, Pacers 128 OT |
| Game 2 | Celtics 126, Pacers 110 |
| Game 3 | Celtics 114, Pacers 111 |
| Game 4 | Celtics 105, Pacers 102 |
The sweep was closer than the 4-0 record might suggest. Indiana had late leads or was tied in the final minute in three of the four games, but Boston repeatedly made the decisive plays late.
The 2024 Eastern Conference Finals
Game 1 went to overtime after Jaylen Brown hit a late three-pointer to tie the game. Jayson Tatum then scored 10 points in overtime as Boston won 133-128.
In Game 2, Brown produced 40 points as Boston moved ahead 2-0 with a 126-110 victory.
Game 3 was another close contest. Indiana built an 18-point advantage, but Boston finished with a 13-2 run and won 114-111. Jrue Holiday played a key role late, including a go-ahead three-point play and a crucial steal.
Boston completed the sweep in Game 4 with a 105-102 win. Derrick White hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 43 seconds remaining, while Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum combined for 55 points.
Boston then went on to win the 2024 NBA championship, defeating Dallas 4-1 in the Finals.
How the Teams Compared in 2025-26
The 2025-26 season provides useful statistical context for the matchup.
Boston finished 56-26, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics averaged 114.9 points per game and allowed 107.2, giving them a +7.7 scoring margin. Their defensive rating ranked fourth in the league, while their offensive rating ranked second.
Indiana had a very different regular season. The Pacers finished 19-63, 14th in the Eastern Conference. They averaged 112.4 points per game while allowing 120.4. Their offensive rating ranked 29th and their defensive rating ranked 23rd.
| 2025-26 Category | Celtics | Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 56-26 | 19-63 |
| Points per game | 114.9 | 112.4 |
| Opponent points per game | 107.2 | 120.4 |
| Offensive rating | 120.8 | 110.9 |
| Defensive rating | 112.7 | 118.8 |
| Net rating | +8.1 | -7.9 |
These numbers explain why Boston controlled the 2025-26 season series despite Indiana taking one game. They also show why historical head-to-head results should be interpreted alongside each team’s current form.
What Makes Pacers vs Celtics Interesting?
This matchup combines two very different types of NBA history.
Boston brings one of the league’s strongest long-term records against Indiana and has recently had the upper hand in both the regular season and playoffs. The Celtics’ 2024 sweep remains the clearest recent postseason statement between the teams.
Indiana, however, has shown that it can challenge Boston in individual games. The Pacers won in Boston during the 2024-25 season and also defeated the Celtics 98-96 in January 2026.
That makes the location of each game important. Boston’s home record against Indiana has historically been much stronger than its road results, and the 2025-26 season continued that pattern.
For readers tracking the 2026-27 matchup, the January game in Boston should be the first major checkpoint. The March meetings in Indianapolis will then provide another opportunity to compare how the teams perform against each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the last Pacers vs Celtics game?
The Boston Celtics won the most recent Pacers-Celtics game, defeating Indiana 119-104 on January 21, 2026, at TD Garden. Boston won three of the four regular-season meetings during the 2025-26 season.
What is the Pacers vs Celtics all-time record?
Through the 2025-26 regular season, the Celtics lead the Pacers 113-88 in 201 regular-season meetings. Boston has also held a significant home-court advantage in the series.
When is the next Pacers vs Celtics game?
The next scheduled Pacers vs Celtics game is January 20, 2027, at 7:30 p.m. ET at TD Garden in Boston. Indiana will visit Boston for that matchup.
Did the Celtics sweep the Pacers in 2024?
Yes. Boston defeated Indiana 4-0 in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. The Celtics won 133-128 in overtime, 126-110, 114-111, and 105-102.
How many games are scheduled between the Pacers and Celtics in 2026-27?
The teams are scheduled to meet three times in the 2026-27 regular season. Boston hosts Indiana on January 20, while Indiana hosts Boston on March 2 and March 30.
Conclusion
The Pacers vs Celtics matchup has become one of the more interesting Eastern Conference pairings because recent regular-season games have been competitive even though Boston has generally held the advantage.
The Celtics lead the all-time regular-season series 113-88 and won the 2025-26 season series 3-1. Boston also swept Indiana in the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals before going on to win the NBA championship.
The next chapter begins on January 20, 2027, when the Pacers visit TD Garden. Two more meetings are scheduled in Indianapolis on March 2 and March 30. Those games will provide the clearest new evidence of how the rivalry is developing in the 2026-27 season.
I am Joseph Clark, a vocabulary and language content writer at SynonymLibrary.com. I create clear, practical synonym guides that help readers improve their writing, word choice, and communication skills. My goal is to make language learning simple, accurate, and useful for students, writers, professionals, and everyday learners.
