The Boston Celtics got a big boost from the return of star forward Jayson Tatum in the team’s Wednesday night tilt with the Indiana Pacers, but that did not stop Boston from starting the game in an all-too-familiar unengaged and sloppy style with predictable results.
The Celtics would mount a fierce comeback too late to get the win, falling 117-112 to the Pacers in regulation. A massive night from MVP candidate Jayson Tatum (41 points, 5 rebounds) was not enough to get the job done with only Jaylen Brown (19 points, 10 rebounds) and Malcolm Brogdon (18 points, 7 assists) showing up against Indiana. With the loss, the Celtics drop to 22-10 and second in the East behind the Milwaukee Bucks — who they face on Christmas Day.
