The historic rivalry between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers added another chapter on Saturday night, as the Celtics defeated the Lakers 111-101 at TD Garden. The win ended the Lakers’ eight-game winning streak, powered by standout performances from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Tatum, the five-time All-Star, was the star of the night, finishing with 40 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Brown added 31 points to help propel Boston to victory. The Lakers, who had been riding high on a hot streak, found themselves struggling to keep up, especially as their leader, LeBron James, was forced to leave the game due to a groin strain in the fourth quarter.
The injury to James, who was ruled out for the rest of the game, casts a shadow over the Lakers’ performance. Head coach JJ Redick expressed concern about the injury but provided no further updates. However, James downplayed the issue, reassuring reporters that it was “not much concern” and was “day-to-day.”
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams exchanging runs. The Lakers started strong, going on a 7-0 run to open the game, but the Celtics quickly settled in and tied the game at 33-33 by the end of the first quarter. In the second, Boston took a slight lead of 58-54 into halftime, and after the break, they exploded with a dominant 19-2 run, giving them a commanding 87-67 lead by the end of the third quarter.
Despite the large deficit, the Lakers mounted a strong challenge in the fourth quarter, going on a 16-2 run to cut the lead to just 92-85. James, alongside Luka Dončić, was seen receiving treatment during the game, but despite the efforts from the Lakers, they could not overcome the Celtics’ offensive firepower. With just over two minutes left, Tatum hit a crucial three-pointer to extend Boston’s lead to 105-95, sealing the win.
Tatum, reflecting on the rivalry between the two franchises, spoke to ESPN after the game. “It’s an honor, the history, tradition, all the legends that wore these uniforms, that competed in these battles,” he said. “The NBA is a better place when the Lakers and Celtics are good.”
The Celtics’ win brings them to 46-17 for the season, while the Lakers drop to 40-22. Both teams will be back in action on Monday, with the Celtics hosting the Utah Jazz and the Lakers traveling to the Barclays Center to face the Brooklyn Nets.
