With the NBA regular season starting to come to a close, the jockeying for playoff position continues to grow more intense. No matchup embodied that better than the Boston Celtics' thriller against the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.

In a totally back-and-forth affair, Kyrie Irving made a driving layup with 0.5 seconds remaining to deliver a 114-112 win to the Celtics and help Boston leapfrog Indiana for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Irving poured in a game-high 30 points, while Aron Baynes collected a double-double with 13 points and 13 boards in a season-high 33 minutes, giving Boston a crucial frontcourt presence that may prove invaluable in the playoffs.

Kyrie–who has been scrutinized for his outspokenness and, at times, questionable leadership traits–told the press after the game that this contest was pivotal in terms of gauging how Indiana would stack up as a potential playoff adversary:

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) looks to pass in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum issues 7-word message on Achilles injury rehabDaniel Donabedian ·
Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots the ball as New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) defends in the second half during game four of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden.
Shaquille O’Neal throws shade at Celtics’ Jayson Tatum’s HOF credentialsZachary Howell ·
Jaylen Brown photoshopped in Spurs jersey
Spurs’ trade proposal for Jaylen Brown if Celtics blow it upBailey Bassett ·
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (middle left) and forward Tari Eason (middle right) hold towels on their faces during game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center.
NBA rumors: Rockets ‘anticipating’ Celtics trade talksDavid Yapkowitz ·
image thumbnail
Celtics rumors: Will Boston target rising center prospect in NBA Draft?Owen Crisafulli ·
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) and center Al Horford (42) and guard Jrue Holiday (4) react in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during game one of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden.
NBA rumors: Insider suggests Knicks could steal Celtics veteranMalik Brown ·

“It was definitely a great feel-out game, if you want to call it that, for the playoffs,” Irving said. “Home-court advantage was at stake and I know we see them again one more time. We'll see how that goes and just keep on getting better for the rest of the regular season.”

Boston and Indiana currently hold identical records at 45-31, but the Celtics have the advantage on the tiebreaker. Should this situation hold, they would have home-court advantage for the first round against the Pacers.

The Celtics could still make a run at the third seed, but given that they are 3.5 games back of the Philadelphia 76ers, they would likely need to win out and get some help from Philly as well.