Game date, time and location: Monday, Dec. 26, 7:00 p.m. EST, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana

TV: FanDuel Sports Network Indiana, NBC Sports Boston

Radio: 93.5 FM/107.5 FM The Fan (Indiana), 96.1 FM/1370 AM (Bloomington) 1380 AM (Fort Wayne), 92.5 FM/1340 AM (Muncie), 98.5 FM The Sports Hub (Boston)

VITALS: The Indiana Pacers (6-24) and Boston Celtics (18-11) meet for the second of four regular season matchups, with the first being a loss for the Pacers four days ago. The two teams met three times last season, with two resulting in wins for the Pacers. The Pacers are 87-111 all-time versus the Pacers during the regular season, including 58-41 in home games and 29-70 in road games.

PROJECTED STARTERS

PACERS

G Andrew Nembhard

G Ethan Thompson

C Jay Huff

F Bennedict Mathurin

F Pascal Siakam

CELTICS

G Payton Pritchard

G Derrick White

C Neeimas Queta

F Jaylen Brown

F Josh Minott

Spread: Pacers +8.5 (-114), Celtics -8.5 (-106)

Moneyline: Pacers +290, Celtics -360

Total points scored: 221.5 (over -114, under -106)

INJURY REPORT

PACERS

Isaiah Jackson: Out – Concussion

Aaron Nesmith: Out – Knee

Ben Sheppard: Out – Calf

Obi Toppin: Out – Foot

Tyrese Haliburton: Out – Achilles

CELTICS

Chris Boucher: Out – Personal Reasons

Jayson Tatum: Out – Achilles

QUOTABLE

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on offensive struggles: ” I agree. We’ve hit some droughts, for different reasons, I suppose. Some is make-or-miss, some is, there’s occasionally stagnancy that comes in, sometimes it’s decision-making, but the last thee games there have been positives, and so, we got to work at building on those.”

Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Indiana Pacers On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Miami Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket

With the pews packed, children felt the holiday cheer from inside Eastminster Presbyterian Church. 

It’s a spirit of giving that fills a room for those who’ve had an important part of their lives stolen.

“When my son was murdered, he was a student at Carnegie Mellon University, and he came home on Christmas break and was senselessly murdered,” said Adrienne Young, founder of the non-profit organization Tree of Hope. 

Young’s son, Javon Thompson, was killed, and one month later, his daughter, Tajaya Thompson, was born. That loss propelled Young to start her nonprofit. Now, for the last 26 years, she’s hosted a Christmas event for the children of parents lost to violence.

“It takes a whole village,” Young said. “And it does really take a whole village for these children that are being left behind.”

This annual event creates a moment of grace and giving with food and free toys.

“And we want to make sure that they have a good Christmas,” Young said.

During this year’s event, Tajaya Thompson received a gift from her dad.

“You know about your dad, but what you didn’t know was that he had $2,000 left in his bank account,” Young said. “Throughout the years, we spent way more than that. But we want to present you with the $2,000 that he had left in his account.”

For the Tree of Hope and Young, it’s about proving that when violence takes place, the community gives back. She’s truly shining a light in the darkest times for those who were forever changed by tragedy.

“We’ve had tragedy strike our family quite a few times. But each time, I say that there is something that we can do to make things better,” said Young.

Young said the nonprofit took off due to the help of Carnegie Mellon University and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. Now, it continues with the help of state Senator Jay Costa and UPMC.

Gov. Ned Lamont is encouraging Connecticut motorists to avoid travel on state roads during the evening of Friday, Dec. 26.

This advisory comes as a snowstorm is anticipated to impact the state during the evening and overnight hours. Those who must travel are urged to drive cautiously and allow snow removal crews adequate space to clear the roads safely, according to Lamont’s prepared statement.

Forecasts indicate that Connecticut may receive between 6 and 12 inches of snow statewide. The snow is predicted to begin late Friday afternoon and intensify from light to very heavy between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Snowfall rates could exceed 2 inches per hour at times during the evening. The storm is expected to taper off around sunrise on Saturday morning.

Lamont stated that the snow is projected to pick up quickly shortly after sunset on Friday. He added that the snowfall rates could be dangerous for driving. He recommended that anyone needing to travel should leave early and reach their destination before sunset.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has its fleet of 650 snowplows and specialized removal equipment ready for deployment. CTDOT crews are on standby and will remain active until roads are clear of snow and ice, state officials said. Transportation Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto confirmed that crews and contractors are prepared to clear roadways and will be out in full force.

Eucalitto also urged drivers to slow down, use caution, and maintain extra space between vehicles if they must travel during the storm. He asked the public to give plow drivers the room needed to work safely and efficiently.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 498 fatal traffic crashes and an estimated 32,213 injury crashes in 2022 under snow or sleet conditions.

CTDOT advises drivers to maintain distance from snowplows, avoid passing them, and allow operators ample space. For general winter driving safety, CTDOT recommends slowing down, keeping a safe distance from other vehicles, using winter tires, and preparing an emergency kit. Drivers should never drive impaired and should check weather and road conditions before traveling via CTroads.org, state officials said.

See CT Weather: Up To 10 Inches Of Snow Accumulation Now Forecast By Saturday

This article includes AI-assisted reporting. Editors reviewed all content for accuracy.