The Boston Celtics won Game 2 of the NBA playoffs in 2024 for the first time. They triumphed over the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night, 126-110, with Jaylen Brown matching his all-time playoff best of 40 points on the same night. They now need two victories to go to the NBA Finals.

Jaylen Brown scores 40 as Celtics beat Pacers to take 2-0 lead in East

With 5.7 seconds left in regulation in Game 1, Brown made a clutch three-pointer to send the game into overtime, where his Celtics would ultimately prevail. This time, it would be his efforts that would enable the Celtics to turn a five-point deficit into a fifteen-point advantage in the opening quarter. And from then on it would be all Celtics.

“It’s whatever it takes, it’s the playoffs, man. Whatever it takes to get a W on defense and offense, that’s what I’m gonna do.” –Jaylen Brown

Equivalent in Intensity

According to Brown, the Pacers were not as intense as the Celtics.

Brown took a 2-0 series lead for the first time in these playoffs, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to helping his team win. However, Brown noted that the Pacers were unable to duplicate the energy they displayed in Game 1, and Boston looked to be much more in control in Game 2.

They simply could not match the intensity level that [we] delivered tonight. In Game 2, I believe we made a little bit more progress. We could still play a little bit better, in my opinion. We’re excited to carry that out in game three. We head [to] Indianapolis. –Bryan Jaylen

Jaylen Brown scores 40 as Celtics take 2-0 series lead vs. Pacers | Reuters

The Pacers’ lack of intensity can be attributed to Tyrese Haliburton, their leading guard, who departed the game due to what appeared to be a re-aggravation of his left hamstring injury. But the Pacers had already spent most of the game attempting to catch up when that injury happened in the fourth quarter.

Pascal Siakam led the way for the Pacers as a result, scoring 28 points. Before things clicked in the second half, Jayson Tatum had a rough start, scoring just four points in the first half. He and Derrick White combined for 23 points in the end.

Getting Through the StormAccording to Brown, the Celtics must “weather the storm” and grab a 3-0 series advantage.

Perhaps the Pacers were having a bad night and missed their opportunity to capitalize on Tatum’s poor start; the Celtics, as always, made the most of it. Brown talked about the club’s next steps after the team had a 2-0 series lead.

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Just control your feelings. And that’s it. That’s the main focus. We must endure every storm and rise to the occasion of adversity. After that, go outside and engage in some play. –Bryan Jaylen

Now, the series moves to Indianapolis, home of the Pacers, who have won every postseason game so far. The Celtics will look to maintain their foot on the throttle and grab a clear 3-0 series lead, while they will try to continue that run and close the gap. It will be Saturday night for Game 3.