Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle wants the NBA to review a questionable play from the first quarter of Monday night’s 103-95 loss to the Boston Celtics involving big man Isaiah Jackson and Celtics center Neemias Queta.
Isaiah Jackson Evaluated For A Concussion
Based on the video footage, Queta elbowed Jackson twice in the face while attempting a shot under the basket, forcing the 23-year-old out of the game as he was evaluated for a concussion.
“I don’t know what the exact rule is,” Carlisle said after the game. “I think it was 4:30 or 4:32 to go in the first quarter, there was a play where Jackson gets elbowed by Queta and then simultaneously gets elbowed a second time.
“Then he has to go out of the game for concussion observation and then was unable to return. I hope the league looks at that. That was a play that I felt should have been looked at in real time. It did not appear to be accidental, and it’s very dangerous.”
I believe this is the play Carlisle is referencing. Neemias Queta connected with IJackson 3x on this sequence.
Then Jackson was subbed out, went back to the locker room — and did not return. https://t.co/NykeWIEz0F pic.twitter.com/akvA66pcNl
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) December 23, 2025
Jackson played just two minutes off the bench in Monday’s game.
Through 29 appearances (14 starts) this season, Jackson is averaging 7.3 points and career highs of 5.9 rebounds and 18.3 minutes per outing while shooting 58.5% from the field and 74.2% from the foul line.
The former first-rounder hasn’t missed any games this campaign.
“I don’t know how long he’s going to be out, but it’s pretty serious,” Carlisle continued. “The play that happened, it just can’t be missed.”
Celtics Rallied Against Pacers
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 25 points in Monday’s loss, while Andrew Nembhard had 20.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown scored 14 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter for the Celtics, who rallied from a 20-point, second-half deficit to secure their third straight victory.
Derrick White finished with 19 points, and Payton Pritchard and Anfernee Simons each had 11 for Boston. The Celtics outscored Indiana 29-13 in the final frame.
The loss delayed Carlisle’s run to his 1,000th NBA head coaching victory. Indiana has lost five straight, and Carlisle stands at 999 wins over 24 seasons.
The Pacers host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, and Boston visits Indiana on Friday.
