The Boston Celtics Clinch 2024 NBA Finals Berth After Game 4 Sweep of the Indiana Pacers
The Boston Celtics are headed back to the NBA Finals. On Monday night, they wrapped up the Eastern Conference Finals with a 105-102 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 4. With the sweep, Boston becomes the first team to secure a spot in the 2024 NBA Finals — their second appearance in the last three seasons.
Let’s break down how they did it and what this momentum means for their championship hopes.
Game / News Breakdown
Game 4 was a battle from start to finish. The Celtics came into Indianapolis looking to seal the deal, and the Pacers were fighting to keep their postseason alive — even with star guard Tyrese Haliburton sidelined due to a hamstring injury.
It was a back-and-forth affair with neither team leading by double digits at any point in the second half. The Celtics’ defense stepped up in the final minutes, holding Indiana scoreless in their last three possessions.
Boston’s Jrue Holiday came up with the game-winning stop when it mattered most — stripping Andrew Nembhard in the final seconds to secure the narrow three-point win.
The Celtics completed the sweep 4-0, showcasing their depth, defense, and playoff experience.
Key moments from Game 4:
– Indiana led by 9 points entering the third quarter.
– Boston went on a 10-2 run midway through the fourth to take control.
– Jrue Holiday delivered clutch plays on both ends in the final two minutes.
This marks Boston’s first Eastern Conference Finals sweep since 1986 and solidifies their dominance throughout these playoffs.
Key Players & Performances
The Celtics leaned on their stars to get the job done — and they delivered.
– **Jaylen Brown**: The newly crowned Eastern Conference Finals MVP scored 29 points on 11-of-22 shooting. His aggressive play on both ends kept Boston steady whenever Indiana surged.
– **Jayson Tatum**: The All-NBA forward poured in 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. He hit key shots down the stretch and commanded attention on nearly every possession.
– **Jrue Holiday**: With 14 points, 9 rebounds, and the biggest defensive stop of the game, Holiday’s veteran poise was critical.
– **Derrick White**: Knocked down five 3-pointers and chipped in 16 points, spacing the floor and opening up driving lanes for Brown and Tatum.
On the Indiana side, Andrew Nembhard stepped up again in Haliburton’s absence:
– **Andrew Nembhard**: Finished with 24 points and 10 assists, showing great confidence despite the pressure.
Without Haliburton, though, the Pacers struggled to create consistent offense late in games — and that ultimately hurt them in close finishes during Games 3 and 4.
Team Impact & Standings
The Celtics continue to underline why they were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. With this sweep, they improve to 12-2 in the playoffs and become the first team in this postseason to lock in a Finals appearance.
Boston is back in the Finals for the second time since 2022, and they’re still searching for Banner No. 18 to break a tie with the Lakers for most all-time NBA championships.
A few facts about Boston’s playoff journey so far:
– Defeated Miami 4-1 in the first round
– Beat Cleveland 4-1 in the second round
– Swept Indiana 4-0 in the East Finals
Their defense and depth have been the difference-makers. With Holiday and White locking down the perimeter and Tatum and Brown leading the offense, Boston looks like a true title contender.
For the Pacers, this playoff run — their first Conference Finals appearance since 2014 — signals a turning point for the franchise. It was a breakout postseason for Tyrese Haliburton and a strong showing from their young core. But depth and injuries caught up with them against a much more experienced Celtics team.
What’s Next
The Celtics will now wait to see who they’ll face in the NBA Finals — either the Dallas Mavericks or the Minnesota Timberwolves. Boston will host Game 1 of the Finals on June 6.
Health will be a key factor moving forward. Kristaps Porzingis, who missed the entire Eastern Conference Finals with a calf strain, has been progressing and could return for the Finals.
For Indiana, the offseason begins with a promising outlook. They’re projected to have cap flexibility and a blossoming All-Star in Tyrese Haliburton, alongside rising talents like Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard.
Conclusion
The Celtics are officially back on the NBA’s biggest stage — this time, with championship expectations. Their sweep of the Pacers was a mix of veteran execution, elite defense, and a deep roster firing on all cylinders.
Now it’s on to the Finals, where Tatum, Brown, and company hope to finish what they started two years ago. And by the way Boston is playing, they might just be the team to beat.