The Boston Celtics will enter Monday night’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers riding a two-game winning streak, most recently coming off an impressive road win against the Toronto Raptors.
Boston managed that victory without their star Jaylen Brown, leaning instead on balance, depth, and defensive consistency. Through 28 games, the Celtics sit at 17–11, good for third place in the Eastern Conference as they continue to navigate a season shaped by adjustment and patience.
Up next is Indiana, and the Celtics have listed two starters as questionable due to illness, introducing some short-term uncertainty as Boston opens the week at TD Garden.
Jayson Tatum also remains out as he continues his recovery from an Achilles injury.
Where the Celtics Stand Entering Monday
Jaylen Brown missed Saturday’s win over the Toronto Raptors, marking just the second game he has sat all season. The timing stood out given the level he has been playing at over the last several weeks.
Brown is averaging 29.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game and has been operating at an All-NBA level. He has scored 30 or more points in nine of his last ten games. The lone exception came in a triple-double performance, underscoring the consistency of his impact even on nights when scoring takes a back seat.
Jordan Walsh is also listed as questionable after starting Saturday’s game in Toronto. He did not play in the second half as the illness lingered, and Boston opted to hold him out for the remainder of the game.
As of Monday afternoon, there has been no indication either player’s status has shifted ahead of tipoff.
How Boston Can Adjust if Needed
If Brown or Walsh are unable to go, the Celtics have options, though the absence of either starter would alter the shape of the night.
Sam Hauser, Josh Minott, Hugo González and Baylor Scheierman would all be candidates for expanded minutes along the wing.
González has shown encouraging growth over the last two games, delivering some of his most productive stretches of the season while maintaining defensive energy and ball movement. Boston has leaned on that versatility whenever minor absences arise, though replacing Brown’s offensive gravity is a different challenge entirely.
The Celtics’ approach in these situations has been consistent. Absorb the minutes. Maintain structure. Avoid overcorrecting.
Looking Toward Indiana
Boston enters the game having steadied itself despite operating without Tatum. The Celtics have relied on spacing, defensive discipline, and collective effort to remain near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Indiana, meanwhile, has struggled to find consistency. The Pacers have been hit hard by injuries, including the season-ending Achilles injury to Tyrese Haliburton, and have had difficulty sustaining lineup continuity.
Monday’s game represents an opportunity for Boston to keep momentum, though the availability of its starters will play a role in how the matchup unfolds.
Final Word for the Celtics
The Celtics will continue to monitor the status of both starters as they prepare for Monday night’s matchup against the Pacers.
Boston enters the game riding momentum and has already shown it can adjust when key pieces are unavailable. Still, having as much of the rotation intact as possible would allow the Celtics to stay consistent on both ends of the floor, particularly with Tatum still sidelined.
Whether this injury report becomes a minor footnote or a larger factor will depend on how things develop closer to tipoff.
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