Arya News - The Celtics looked ready for the Lakers.
The Los Angeles Lakers faced their first big test against the East"s No. 3 team on Thursday and passed . They they faced their second big test against the East"s No. 2 team and did not pass.
In much-hyped rivalry games against the defending champion Bostons Celtics, the Lakers got overwhelmed by a team that looked a lot more ready for LeBron James and Luka Dončić than they were for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The two teams played evenly until the start of the third quarter, when Boston built up a 21-point lead in about seven minutes.
The Lakers managed to inch to as close as four points in the middle of the fourth quarter, but another small Celtics run dashed any hope of a comeback. The team was also dealt a blow when James was ruled out with a groin strain .
Tatum finished with a stellar 40 points on 13-of-25 shooting, 12 rebounds and eight assists, while Brown had 31 points. Dončić had 34 points.
Notably, both teams were shorthanded for the game. Celtics starting center Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out an hour before the game with an illness, his fifth straight game missed, while the Lakers were down starting center Jaxson Hayes (right knee contusion) and starting power forward Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy).
The Lakers responded by starting Jarred Vanderbilt at center, while Al Horford had a great game at center for Boston with 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The loss pushes the Lakers down from No. 2 to 3 in the Western Conference standings, with the Denver Nuggets now a half-game ahead of them thanks to Nikola Jokić"s heroics the previous night . They"re still on quite a run since acquiring Dončić (and were on one right before him as well), but they might have some more developing to do before they enter the elite tier of NBA teams.
The Celtics, meanwhile, are now 46-18, strengthening their hold on the second seed in the East.
Live 44 updates
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:31 AM GMT+3:30
Celtics too much for Lakers as LeBron leaves with injury
It got interesting there for a bit, but the Celtics held on for a 111-101 win over the Lakers on Saturday night, snapping LA"s eight-game winning streak.
LeBron James left with a little more than six minutes remaining because of a groin injury, which he has struggled with in the past.
Jayson Tatum led the way with 40 points, 6 3-pointers, 12 rebounds and 8 assists, and Jaylen Brown added 31 points, 3 3-pointers and 6 assists.
James posted 22 points, 14 rebounds and 9 assists before leaving the floor, and Luka Doncic had 34 points on 11-of-22 shooting with 5 3-pointers and 8 rebounds.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:24 AM GMT+3:30
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:22 AM GMT+3:30
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:21 AM GMT+3:30
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:20 AM GMT+3:30
It is now a 4-point game as the Lakers have outscored the Celtics 25-9 in the 4th. The Celtics" biggest lead was 23.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:18 AM GMT+3:30
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:14 AM GMT+3:30 Vincent Goodwill
It is now interesting — 94-85 after the Lakers have made a big run and the C’s have gone cold. It’s getting a little quiet here.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:11 AM GMT+3:30
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:11 AM GMT+3:30
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:05 AM GMT+3:30 Vincent Goodwill
Lakers have about 5 mins before Redick pulls the plug on this one. The lead was 22 now it is 15.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 7:01 AM GMT+3:30 Yahoo Sports Staff
Celtics lead 87-67 after 3 quarters
The Lakers had more turnovers than field goals in the third quarter as the Celtics rolled to an 87-67 lead. Jayson Tatum has 32 points with 5 3-pointers, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, and Jaylen Brown has 22 points and 6 rebounds.
Luka leads the Lakers with 20 [points, but on 6-of-15 shooting, and LeBron has 16 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:57 AM GMT+3:30
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:56 AM GMT+3:30
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:46 AM GMT+3:30 Vincent Goodwill
JJ Redick T’d up going after Gucci Mane … one of those “you’re playing hard, I’m with my guys” techs
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:41 AM GMT+3:30 Vincent Goodwill
“Let’s go Celtics!” raining down during a review on a . Lead on the verge of 20.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:40 AM GMT+3:30 Yahoo Sports Staff
Things are getting scary in Boston as the Celtics have a 75-56 lead after a Jaylen Brown 3.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:37 AM GMT+3:30 Yahoo Sports Staff
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:35 AM GMT+3:30 Vincent Goodwill
Wonder if the Lakers are running out of gas. Down 12 early in the third. Luka not with a lot of pop.
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:13 AM GMT+3:30 Yahoo Sports Staff
Celtics take 58-54 lead into halftime
The Celtics lead 58-54 at the half, thanks to a last-second driving dunk by Jayson Tatum.
Tatum has 22 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, and Jaylen Brown has 16 points.
LeBron James leads LA with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists, and Luka Doncic has 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists — but also 2 turnovers.
The Lakers are matching the Celtics at the 3-point line, hitting 8-of-20 to Boston"s 9-of-22, but can they sustain it?
Sun, March 9, 2025 at 6:08 AM GMT+3:30
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