The Boston Celtics open a four-game road trip Monday night with a tricky test in Indianapolis, and the injury news shapes everything. Jaylen Brown is doubtful. Andrew Nembhard is questionable. Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton remain out. That is a lot of star power on the shelf as the Celtics and Pacers try to set a tone for mid-January.

Tip-off is 7:30 PM ET. Boston arrives at 24-14 after dropping two of its last three, including a 100-95 home loss to the Spurs where the Celtics earned only four free-throw attempts. Indiana, meanwhile, has won two straight and is described as “suddenly hot,” a nod to a steady rise despite a battered rotation.

Celtics vs Pacers injury report: who’s in and who’s out

Both teams will be without franchise faces, and both are holding their breath on key guards:

• Boston Celtics
• Jaylen Brown — Doubtful (low back spasms)
• Sam Hauser — Questionable (right hamstring tightness)
• Josh Minott — Out (left ankle sprain; out since Jan. 3)
• Jayson Tatum — Out (right Achilles repair)
• Indiana Pacers
• Andrew Nembhard — Questionable (low back soreness)
• Tyrese Haliburton — Out (right Achilles tendon tear)
• Isaiah Jackson — Out (concussion)
• Bennedict Mathurin — Out (right thumb sprain; missed last four)
• Obi Toppin — Out (foot injury)
• Kam Jones — Questionable (G League assignment)
• Taelon Peter — Questionable (G League two-way)

The absences are the headline, but the ripple effect is the story. Boston’s offense has leaned on Brown all season — he’s averaging 29.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal — and he still poured in 27 against San Antonio. Indiana’s Nembhard has steadied the Pacers without Haliburton, posting 17.6 points and 7 assists per night.

Boston’s challenge without Tatum — and maybe without Brown

With Tatum out and Brown in doubt, Boston’s margin for error shrinks. Derrick White scored 29 in the loss to the Spurs, and his playmaking will be critical again. The Celtics also need help from role players. Baylor Scheierman, a reserve averaging 2.8 points per game, gave Boston an unexpected 10 points on Saturday. That kind of lift matters on the road.

The glaring number from that Spurs defeat: only four trips to the line. That speaks to pace and pressure. If the Celtics don’t get downhill, they leave points on the table and give the Pacers chances to run. A healthy Hauser would add crucial spacing; his status (right hamstring tightness) is one of the quiet swing factors of this matchup.

Frustration boiled over Saturday. Brown did not hold back on the officiating: “I feel like honestly, (San Antonio) just got away with a lot. I’m tired of the inconsistency. I’ll accept the fine at this point. They’re a good defensive team, but they ain’t that damn good. It’s extremely frustrating. We play hard. We’re outplaying our expectations. I’m irate with how they officiated the game.”

“Four free throws? Attack the rim or this road trip gets ugly.”

Indiana’s patchwork rotation is finding form

Indiana has used 24 players this season. That would sink many teams. Instead, the Pacers have strung together back-to-back wins and look energized heading into Monday. Pascal Siakam continues to anchor the scoring at 23.6 points per game. The hope is that Nembhard, one of last year’s Eastern Conference finalists’ key pieces, can go after being listed as questionable with low back soreness.

Nembhard’s words after the recent upswing tell you where Indiana stands: “I think we’ve been a confident group, but it’s nice to get wins. I don’t remember the last time we got two in a row, so it’s nice.” If he plays, the Pacers’ offense flows with more control. If he sits, ball-handling and creation become tougher, especially with Haliburton and Mathurin already out.

“Pacers without Haliburton still run — Nembhard is the heartbeat.”

Key matchups and numbers to watch

• The whistle and the rim: After just four free throws vs. San Antonio, watch how aggressively Boston attacks the paint. The Pacers can be foul-prone when rotations get stretched by injuries.
• Point of attack: White’s two-way presence against Nembhard (if he plays) is crucial. If Brown sits, White becomes Boston’s primary creator and stopper — a heavy workload.
• Wing scoring: Without Tatum, Brown (if active) must carry wing offense. If Brown is out, Boston needs committee scoring from Hauser (if available), Scheierman, and others.
• Siakam’s touches: With Mathurin out, Siakam’s efficiency becomes the Pacers’ barometer. Early touches for him usually stabilize Indiana’s halfcourt sets.
• Bench swing: Scheierman’s 10-point spark was a reminder that one role player can swing a game. Indiana’s depth pieces have been tested; someone unexpected often pops.
• Pace and composure: Indiana likes to push even without Haliburton. Boston needs clean possessions to keep the Pacers out of the open floor.

Tatum timeline: hope on the horizon

There’s no firm return date for Jayson Tatum, but optimism is bubbling. As Chris Mannix put it: “And all indications, everything I’ve heard, suggest he’s going to push really hard in February and March to get back out there—the team will be in a position to compete.” For a Boston group battling to keep rhythm during a demanding road stretch, that’s meaningful.

“Hold the line now, get Tatum back later — that’s the season.”

Why this one matters now

Boston needs to steady itself after a stinging home loss and a dip in form. At 24-14, the Celtics are still in strong shape, but their identity depends on force — defending, running, and getting to the line. Monday is a chance to reset those habits.

For Indiana, this is about momentum. The Pacers are piecing wins together without Haliburton and Mathurin, and Nembhard’s status looms large. If their “next man up” approach holds, they’re a handful at home.

Game essentials

• Matchup: Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers
• Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
• Time: 7:30 PM ET
• Location: Indianapolis

With stars sidelined and roles shifting, expect a game decided by effort plays: who wins the paint, who controls tempo, and who makes the simple pass. If Boston’s aggression returns, the road trip can start on the right foot. If Indiana’s confidence holds, the Pacers’ hot streak might stretch to three.

Either way, the storylines are clear. The names on the injury sheet may be long, but the stakes are simple: find a way to win tonight, and the path ahead gets brighter.