In a highly anticipated Christmas Day matchup, the Boston Celtics secured a historic win against the Los Angeles Lakers with a final score of 126-115. This victory marked the first time the Celtics emerged triumphant in a Christmas Day meeting with the Lakers.
Kristaps Porzingis led the charge with an impressive performance, contributing 28 points and 11 rebounds. Jayson Tatum added 25 points to the scoreboard, while Jaylen Brown and Derrick White chipped in with 19 points and 18 points, 11 rebounds, respectively. The Celtics showcased their team strength with all five starters reaching at least 18 points. This win extended the Celtics’ streak to three consecutive victories and marked their 12th win in their past 14 games.
Despite a stellar 40-point performance from Anthony Davis, who also secured 13 rebounds, and a solid contribution from LeBron James with 16 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, the Lakers faced their sixth loss in eight games since winning the In-Season Tournament.
The game’s momentum shifted briefly in the third quarter when Boston trailed for the only time. However, the Celtics responded with a seven-point surge, led by Porzingis, establishing a nine-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Boston maintained control in the final quarter, successfully fending off the Lakers’ attempts to mount a comeback. The Celtics’ dominance was evident from the outset, as they scored the first 12 points, including a three-pointer from Brown, to take an early 18-point lead in the first quarter.
Los Angeles, fueled by Taurean Prince’s hot shooting, narrowed the deficit to 58-57 at halftime. The second quarter also saw a concerning collision between Brown and James, resulting in both players being attended to on the court. Brown briefly went back to the locker room but returned to start the third quarter.
This Christmas Day clash marked the third meeting between the two iconic franchises, with the Boston Celtics securing their first-ever victory in this festive matchup. The previous encounters occurred in 1951, with the Minneapolis Lakers winning in Boston, and in 2008, when Los Angeles emerged victorious.