Siakam’s Late Heroics Lift Pacers as NBA Monday Delivers Thrillers Across Arenas

A clutch finish from Pascal Siakam headlined a busy Monday night in the NBA as the Indiana Pacers edged past the Boston Celtics 98-96 in Indianapolis.

Siakam scored the go-ahead basket with 6.8 seconds remaining, banking in a calm floater off the glass to seal the win. Boston had one final chance, but Derrick White’s contested three-point attempt rattled out as time expired. Siakam finished with a strong all-around performance of 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Jay Huff added 20 points as Indiana extended its winning streak to a season-high three games.

For Boston, Payton Pritchard led the way with 23 points, White chipped in 18 and Anfernee Simons scored 16. The Celtics, who have now lost three of their last four games, were without leading scorer Jaylen Brown due to lower back spasms.

In Cleveland, the Utah Jazz bounced back emphatically from a humiliating loss in their previous outing, rallying to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 123-112. Keyonte George starred with 32 points and nine assists, while Lauri Markkanen posted 28 points and 12 rebounds. Utah overturned a 10-point deficit early in the second half, showing resilience just two days after a 55-point defeat to Charlotte.

The Philadelphia 76ers responded with authority in Toronto, defeating the Toronto Raptors 115-102 to split a two-game set. Tyrese Maxey poured in 33 points, while the return of Joel Embiid and Paul George transformed Philadelphia’s defense. Embiid scored 27 points with eight rebounds, and George added 15 points as the Sixers also split the season series.

In Dallas, Cooper Flagg’s 27-point outing powered the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets, snapping a two-game skid. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings rediscovered their shooting touch, sinking 65.4 percent from three-point range in a 124-112 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, despite Luka Doncic’s dominant 42-point effort.

The night ended in Inglewood, where Los Angeles Clippers continued their resurgence by beating the Charlotte Hornets 117-109. Kawhi Leonard scored 35 points, including 19 in the third quarter, while James Harden added 32 points and 10 assists, marking another milestone by moving into ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.