The Boston Celtics ended the Los Angeles Lakers' eight-game winning streak with a decisive victory at the TD Garden on Thursday night. Despite trailing by 22 points in the second half, the Lakers were unable to close the gap significantly, ultimately falling to the Celtics. LeBron James, who exited the game with an injury, assured reporters it would be treated "day-to-day," adding there was "not much concern" about its severity. The defeat pushed the Lakers to third place in the Western Conference, holding a 41-22 record.
Jayson Tatum spearheaded Boston's triumph, scoring 40 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and delivering eight assists. His dynamic performance set the tone for the Celtics, who improved their record to 46-18, maintaining their position as second in the Eastern Conference. Jaylen Brown supported Tatum's efforts with an impressive 31 points and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Al Horford contributed significantly with 14 points and nine rebounds.
The Lakers struggled to keep pace with Boston’s offensive onslaught. Luka Doncic led Los Angeles with 34 points and eight rebounds, attempting to rally his team back into contention. However, only Austin Reaves managed to score in double figures alongside Doncic, contributing 16 points. The Lakers managed to come within four points after two free throws from Doncic, but Boston’s dominance prevailed.
Boston's ability to pull away in critical moments underscored their competitive edge. Despite a valiant effort from the Lakers, they failed to narrow the gap further, allowing the Celtics to secure a comfortable victory. The loss marked a significant shift for Los Angeles, who had been riding high on their recent success streak.
