The Boston Celtics suffered a disappointing loss against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night, letting a potential victory slip away in the final seconds of the game. The team, already shorthanded, had every right to be frustrated as a controversial overturning of a foul call and a subsequent foolish foul played a significant role in their defeat.

The pivotal moment came with just 3.2 seconds remaining in regulation when a foul on Jaylen Brown by Buddy Hield was overturned after a replay review. The Celtics were left bewildered as the call had initially gone in their favor. Brown, who had been hit in the head, called for an investigation into the overturn. However, despite the controversial decision, the Celtics should not have found themselves in a position where the game could be lost in regulation.

The sequence leading up to the controversial call began with Derrick White rebounding a missed shot by TJ McConnell with 16 seconds left on the clock. White tried to bring the ball up the court but was trapped, forcing him to pass it to Jaylen Brown. The Celtics still had a timeout left, which could have been used to draw up a play, but head coach Joe Mazzulla decided against it.

This left Brown in a challenging situation as he dribbled down the clock near half court, facing multiple Pacers defenders. While Brown, who had already scored an impressive 40 points, wanted to take the game-winning shot, he played right into the hands of the Indiana defense. On the opposite end of the court, Kristaps Porzingis pointed out a wide-open Derrick White at the top of the key, but Brown failed to make the pass.

The worst part of the sequence came when Brown attempted a contested jumper with just three seconds remaining. Although the game was tied, taking such a risky shot left the door open for the Pacers to secure the rebound and potentially win the game. Even if Brown had made the shot, it still would have given the Pacers too much time to come back and tie or win the game in such a crucial moment.

Late-game mismanagement has been a recurring issue for the Celtics this season, despite their impressive 28-8 record. The team's crunch-time struggles have been a cause for concern in past seasons, making it a pressing area of improvement for Boston moving forward. If Coach Mazzulla opts not to call timeouts in these situations, the players must step up and manage the game effectively. All-Stars like Jayson Tatum and Brown should prioritize holding for one shot or finding open teammates. Alternatively, Mazzulla should consider running the offense through other options, such as Derrick White, in these critical moments.

The Celtics have proven to be one of the strongest teams in the NBA this season, but their questionable decision-making in crucial situations could come back to haunt them in the playoffs. It is vital that they address these late-game challenges and make strategic adjustments to ensure success when the pressure intensifies in the postseason.