Pascal Siakam hit a game-winning three-pointer with 6.1 seconds left in overtime to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 135-132 victory over the previously undefeated Boston Celtics on Wednesday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Siakam finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds, ending his personal 13-game losing streak against the Celtics that dated back to the 2022-23 season.

”It’s big,” Siakam said after the game. “We’ve got to be that team that fights to the end.”

The Pacers built a 24-point lead in the third quarter before the Celtics mounted a fierce comeback. Boston forced overtime when Jayson Tatum hit a stepback three-pointer with 14.4 seconds left in regulation.

Bennedict Mathurin provided a huge spark off the bench for Indiana, scoring 30 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in 42 minutes of play. His performance helped the Pacers improve their record to 2-3 while handing Boston its first loss of the season.

The Celtics’ defense tightened in the fourth quarter, limiting Indiana to just 24 points on 7-for-22 shooting. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard led Boston’s defensive effort, forcing six crucial Pacers turnovers.

Boston continued its impressive three-point shooting, making 19 shots from beyond the arc on 57 attempts. The Celtics are on pace to break the NBA single-season record for three-pointers, currently held by the Golden State Warriors.

Siakam sealed the victory with two crucial baskets in overtime. He first tied the game at 132-132 with a jumper in the lane with 36 seconds remaining, then hit the decisive three-pointer in the final seconds.

The win was particularly important for Indiana, who faces a challenging schedule ahead with road games against New Orleans and Dallas. The Celtics return to action with back-to-back games in Charlotte this weekend.

The victory marked a significant turnaround for the Pacers, who were swept by the Celtics in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals. It also demonstrated their ability to close out tight games against elite competition.