In a dramatic Eastern Conference finals conclusion, the Boston Celtics rallied to defeat the Indiana Pacers 105-102 on Monday night, clinching a 4-0 series sweep and securing their place in the NBA Finals. For the third time in four games, the Pacers held a late lead only to see it slip away in the final minutes.

Indiana led 89-82 in the fourth quarter, but Boston surged back. Jaylen Brown tied the game at 102-102 with a floater before Derrick White’s clutch 3-pointer with 43.9 seconds left gave the Celtics their first lead of the quarter. It proved to be the decisive basket, with the Pacers unable to score again.

Brown led the Celtics with 29 points, earning Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors. Jayson Tatum added 26 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists, while White contributed 16 points, five steals, and three blocks.

The Pacers, playing without All-NBA guard Tyrese Haliburton for the second consecutive game, struggled offensively in the final minutes. Pascal Siakam’s layup at 3:32 was their last score, as Indiana missed their final four shots and committed two turnovers.

The game was not without controversy. With Indiana leading 98-84, Celtics’ Brown fouled T.J. McConnell in what appeared to be a flagrant foul. However, after review, officials ruled it a common foul, much to the dismay of the Indiana crowd. The Pacers lost momentum, and the Celtics capitalized.

Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 24 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds. Siakam added 19 points and 10 rebounds, while McConnell had 15 points off the bench.

Despite being outshot and outrebounded, Boston’s higher volume of 3-pointers and forced turnovers made the difference. The Celtics now await the winner of the Western Conference finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.