The Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers clashed in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden. Following a seven-game victory over the New York Knicks, the Pacers entered the series without much rest. In contrast, the Celtics had almost a week off after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games.

The game was intense and closely contested. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton missed a game-winning shot in regulation, leading to overtime. Jaylen Brown tied the game with a three-pointer just before the end of regulation, sending Celtics fans into a frenzy.

Indiana’s offense, led by standout performances from Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam, kept pace with Boston throughout the game. The Celtics, however, regained control several times with key runs, including a 12-0 stretch that gave them a double-digit lead in the third quarter.

Despite turnovers and missed shots from the Celtics in critical moments, Boston managed to recover the ball and capitalize on Indiana’s errors. Key players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown led Boston’s charge, with Tatum scoring 26 points and grabbing nine rebounds.

The matchup has historical significance, as the teams faced each other earlier in the season during the In-Season Tournament, where Indiana beat Boston. Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the challenges posed by the top-seeded Celtics.

Meanwhile, ESPN faced backlash for including Chris Paul in the network’s pregame coverage. Critics on social media questioned Paul’s relevance as an analyst, given his active player status and history of never winning a championship. The criticism was compounded by recent remarks from retired referee Bill Spooner, who labeled Paul one of the “biggest a**holes” he had encountered during his officiating career.

Game 1 showcased the Celtics’ resilience and the Pacers’ persistent challenge, promising a competitive series ahead.