The final injury report for a marquee Eastern Conference matchup has arrived, and it will shape everything. The Boston Celtics will host the Indiana Pacers at 7:00 PM ET, but both teams will be without big names. According to Athlon Sports, Boston’s Jayson Tatum is out, Jaylen Brown is probable, and the Pacers will miss Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, and Obi Toppin.

That is a lot of star power on the shelf, and it changes the look and feel of the night. What was set to be a showcase of high-octane offense now becomes a test of depth, discipline, and on-the-fly problem solving.

Celtics vs. Pacers Injury Report: The Final Call

Here’s the confirmed status for both teams:

• Celtics out: Jayson Tatum, Josh Minott
• Celtics probable: Jaylen Brown
• Pacers out: Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin

That’s the snapshot that sets the stage. For Boston, the equation is simple: no Tatum means one of the league’s most reliable wing scorers and creators will not be on the floor. For Indiana, the absence of Haliburton—along with Mathurin and Toppin—removes a key engine in their playmaking and a pair of athletic wings who help stretch the floor and run the lanes.

“No Tatum vs. no Haliburton—this is a depth fight now.”

What Jayson Tatum’s Absence Means for Boston

Tatum out changes how the Celtics attack. He is a tough shot-maker, a go-to scorer in late moments, and a steady option when plays break down. Without him, Boston must lean into ball movement and pace to create clean looks. The Celtics have shown they can share the ball, but doing it for 48 minutes without their top wing scorer is a true test.

That is where Jaylen Brown’s status matters. He is listed as probable, which signals he is expected to play. If Brown is on the floor, he becomes the first option. Expect him to be aggressive early, getting to his spots and forcing the Pacers to send extra help. If that help comes, Boston’s shooters and cutters must be ready to punish rotations.

Josh Minott being out trims Boston’s options on the wing even more, which may push the Celtics to tighten the rotation and prioritize lineups that can switch, defend, and keep the ball hopping. It is not about one player replacing Tatum. It is about the group being clean with spacing, sharp in decision-making, and firm on the glass.

“If Brown is rolling, Boston’s offense will stay on track.”

How the Pacers Adjust Without Haliburton, Mathurin, and Toppin

Indiana’s trio of absences hits ball-handling, shot creation, and fast-break punch all at once. Haliburton is the table-setter who makes the whole offense hum. Without him, the Pacers must find new ways to bring the ball up, organize the half court, and keep tempo at a pace that suits them.

Mathurin’s and Toppin’s absences remove size, slashing, and spacing on the wings. The Pacers will need fresh legs to fill lanes and pressure the rim. Expect more screening and cutting to open simple reads. The game plan should focus on easy actions: quick handoffs, drive-and-kick, and second-chance points.

Defense becomes even more important for Indiana tonight. With fewer creators available, getting stops and turning defense into offense is the fastest way to make up for missing firepower. Long rebounds and live-ball turnovers can be their best friend.

“Indiana must win the effort plays or it gets tough fast.”

Key Matchup Themes at 7:00 PM ET

Even with the absences, there are clear swing factors to watch when the ball goes up in Boston.

• First-option clarity: If Brown plays and finds rhythm, Boston has a clear path on offense. If Indiana can slow him, the Celtics will need a committee effort.
• Playmaking by committee: Without Haliburton, the Pacers need to share ball-handling. Quick decisions and simple reads can keep the offense stable.
• Rebounding and second chances: Missing key scorers, both teams must value extra possessions. One or two back-breaking offensive boards can tilt a quarter.
• Bench minutes: With stars out, bench minutes become premium minutes. Energy, defense, and mistake-free play may be the difference.
• End-of-quarter execution: Late-clock scoring usually leans on star shot-makers. How each team crafts simple, repeatable sets will matter.

Coaching Chess: Simplify, Then Strike

On nights like this, coaching is about clean, simple basketball. For Boston, that can mean driving into the paint, kicking out to shooters, and making the extra pass. For Indiana, it can mean stacking actions to free handlers and spacing the floor so the first pass leads to the second, which opens the third.

Look for both sides to test early lineups and then settle quickly. The side that finds five players who can defend on a string and keep the ball moving will control the game flow.

What This Means for Fans

When big names sit, it is easy to expect a drop-off. But these games often become tight, intense battles. The pace may slow at times, the shots may come from different places, and we might see unlikely heroes make the key play. That is part of the fun and the challenge.

Seeing how Boston adjusts without Tatum, and how Indiana responds without Haliburton, Mathurin, and Toppin, gives a real look at each team’s core habits—how they communicate, how they trust the next pass, and how they compete when plans change.

Bottom Line

The injury list is long and full of stars, but the mission is the same: execute, defend, and value each possession. Boston will try to ride Jaylen Brown’s probable return and its depth on the perimeter. Indiana will try to piece together steady playmaking and win the hustle game.

Tip-off is at 7:00 PM ET. The spotlight shifts from the headliners to the helpers. Tonight, the little things will feel big—because they are.

Source: Athlon Sports