Lakers Falter Against Rival Celtics, Miss Pat Riley’s Challenge
During the unveiling of his statue at Crypto.com Arena, former Lakers coach Pat Riley expressed his competitive spirit against the Boston Celtics. His words, “The time has come to kick some a–,” echoed a fierce rivalry. However, the Lakers could not deliver, falling to the Celtics 111-89 in a disappointing performance.
Lakers’ Struggles Against Celtics’ Defense
The Lakers struggled offensively throughout the game, scoring fewer than 90 points for only the second time this season. Coach JJ Redick acknowledged the team’s defensive efforts but highlighted their offensive inefficiency. “We were just awful offensively,” he stated.
Offensive Breakdown
- The Lakers scored 22 points or fewer in each of the last three quarters.
- They shot only 39.1% from the field, marking their second-worst shooting percentage this season.
- In the critical second half, their three-point shooting plummeted to 15.4%.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 25 points, along with five rebounds and three assists. LeBron James contributed 20 points, while Austin Reaves added 15 points and seven rebounds. Despite these efforts, the main trio struggled to generate effective offensive plays.
Celtics’ Dominance
Jaylen Brown was a standout for the Celtics, scoring 32 points and registering eight rebounds and seven assists. Payton Pritchard also played a pivotal role off the bench, finishing with 30 points, eight assists, and four rebounds.
Game Highlights and Turning Point
The turning point came in the fourth quarter. After Marcus Smart’s missed three-pointer, the Lakers started with a brief 6-2 run, cutting their deficit to nine. However, the Celtics quickly responded with a 6-0 run, extending their lead to a game-high 15 points.
| Team | Final Score | Season Record After Game |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Lakers | 89 | 34-22 |
| Boston Celtics | 111 | … |
Upcoming Matches
The Lakers will conclude their homestand with a match against the Orlando Magic. Upcoming games also include a visit to the Phoenix Suns and a showdown with the Golden State Warriors.
This loss marks the end of the regular-season series against the Celtics for the Lakers, finishing 0-2 for the first time since the 2022-23 season. Their earlier defeat in Boston was exacerbated by the absence of key players Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
