Bennedict Mathurin made history when he hit two free throws with just under six seconds remaining to give Indiana Pacers victory over Boston Celtics 133-131, in a wild contest that came down to its final play.
Jaylen Brown scored 40 points but lost due to an officiating error at the final buzzer.
NBA Front Office Show
The NBA world is interdependent; one trade or signing can instantly alter the landscape. That’s why the NBA Front Office Show provides high-level analysis of all of the latest news and rumors related to all 30 teams via weekly podcast network lineup. Our weekly lineup consists of Jackson Gatlin (Locked On Rockets) on Mondays; Matt Moore (Locked On Nuggets) on Tuesdays; John Karalis (Locked On Celtics) on Wednesdays; Pat The Designer (Locked On Bulls) on Thursdays.
Domantas Sabonis scored 46 points as the Indiana Pacers defeated host Boston in an important playoff-contender matchup. Jaylen Brown and Jrue Holiday each contributed 21 points for Boston despite All-Star Jayson Tatum suffering an injured ankle during play. Meanwhile, New York came back in Atlanta and defeated them with Jalen Brunson hitting a pull-up jumper at the last second to break a tie against Atlanta Hawks; Eneejay Williams contributed 25 points and 14 rebounds as Knicks center Eneejay Williams also had an outstanding game, recording 25 points while contributing 25 points of his own against Hawks center Eneejay Williams who contributed 25 points of his own for his side.
Pacers Bennedict Mathurin scored 26 points
Bennedict Mathurin scored 26 points, including two free throws with just under one second remaining to lead Indiana Pacers past Boston Celtics and split their two-game home series. Kristaps Porzingis appeared to intentionally foul him during a 3-point attempt; as such, both free throws appeared intentional for Mathurin to hit at that crucial time.
As injuries have mounted on his team, rookie Kyle Kuzma has found more playing time, taking full advantage of it to demonstrate his potential as an effective scorer off the bench against Boston (26 points on 7-of-19 shooting).
Mathurin made several key defensive plays against Porzingis, from swiping it away when he attempted to score on a fast break and intercepting him as he attempted a shot on another fast break play. It was one of few times this season Mathurin appeared capable of leading his struggling Pacers side as an effective leader – and may get more opportunities to do just that in future games.
Tyrese Haliburton suffered a hamstring injury
Haliburton attempted to drive towards the basket with Derrick White as his defender when he suddenly slipped and appeared to do the splits before clutching at his left leg in pain before Buddy Hield and James Johnson helped carry him off the court.
Haliburton’s injury remains unclear, as well as its severity or duration, but any loss would be devastating for Indiana. As an integral player on both ends of the court, his absence would prove challenging to overcome.
Injury occurred with less than three minutes remaining in the first half, possibly being classified as a grade II strain – meaning muscle was stretched but not torn completely – an MRI will provide more details on Tuesday. Going forward, they face four playoff contenders Wizards, Nuggets, Hawks and Jazz in their remaining 10 games before the All-Star break; all will require their full strength in order to compete effectively against them.
The Celtics lost
Indiana and Boston battled it out to an exciting finish at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, as TJ McConnell scored an inside basket that tied the score at 131-131 with less than one second remaining and Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton appeared to slip driving down lane, seemingly injuring his hamstring; initially it was called as a foul on Buddy Hield for hitting Brown in head but this ruling was successfully challenged and reversed by Celtics teammate Aron Baynes who challenged it successfully and overturned this ruling by challenging teammate Aron Baynes who successfully challenged him, ruling it as no foul and overturned it as initially reported by officials as initial call from official scorer TJ McConnell made one-point winning shot amidst intense action amidst an extremely close score that ended up tied at 131-131 despite Boston being five games ahead on advantage in game one against Boston but then came an overtime equalizer that tied the score at 131-131 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse with less than one second remaining before TJ McConnell converted an inside basket that tied the score at 131-131 with less than one second remaining on time out-refalty by Boston when Buddy Hield appeared to hit Brown, before successful challenge was successfully challenged successfully.
It changed into foul by Boston after successful challenge by Celtics successfully challenging buddy Hield’s perceived hit on Brown, although Buddy Hield appeared to make contact. ruled as foul on Buddy Hield who appeared to hit Brown from behind with subsequent charge successfully challenged successfully challenged and the call reversed back by Boston successfully challenging and successful Celtics successfully challenged and the call was reversed back down by two seconds from two with less than second remaining.
Referees then blew the whistle on Bennedict Mathurin’s 3-point attempt with just over six seconds remaining, giving Indiana an exciting 133-131 victory and infuriating Brown afterward. Though Brown may feel that this call was unfair and confused or unclear in this game, The Ringer NBA squad provides insight, reporting and analysis you need to keep pace with this league; you can subscribe via Apple Podcasts or SoundCloud to stay abreast of their work.
- Friday Intraday Trading Sees Nvidia’s stock Market Cap Momentarily Cross $2 Trillion
- Trump’s January 6 Civil Cases Proceed While Criminal Case Is Halted
- Trump Delivers Speech at the Columbia Black Conservative Federation Gala
- Trump Declares Strong Support for IVF Following Alabama Supreme Court Decision
- Schumer in Ukraine Declares US Backing During House Aid Standoff
