The Los Angeles Lakers played an outstanding game on Thursday night, defeating the defending NBA champions, the Boston Celtics, with a score of 117-96.
The Lakers played one of their best games of the season, improving to a 24-18 record and securing fifth place in the Western Conference.
LeBron James led the way for the Lakers, finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, showing his usual all-around ability. A dunk in the second quarter showed that, even at 39 years old, LeBron still has a lot of energy.
Anthony Davis was a strong presence inside, contributing 24 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks.
The Lakers used a bigger lineup, with Davis playing alongside Rui Hachimura, which worked well. Hachimura added 10 points and seven rebounds, helping out on both ends of the court.
Austin Reaves Continues His Strong Season
Austin Reaves kept up his career-best season, scoring 23 points and dishing out six assists. His consistent play has been one of the Lakers’ best features this season, and he played a key role in their win over the Celtics.
On defense, the Lakers shut down the Celtics’ offense. Jayson Tatum had a tough time, finishing with only 16 points, and Jaylen Brown scored just 17.
The Celtics’ 96 points were their second-lowest total of the season, as the Lakers’ defense made it difficult for them to score.
Bronny James Gets His Chance
With the game well in hand, rookie Bronny James, LeBron’s son, got his chance to play. Fans had been asking head coach Darvin Ham to let Bronny play, and he got a few minutes on the court, creating a memorable moment on an already successful night for the Lakers.
This victory shows that the Lakers are finding their rhythm as the season reaches its halfway point. With a 24-18 record, they are six games above .500, matching their best record of the season.
With their momentum, the Lakers will look to keep it going when they play the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, hoping to continue climbing in the competitive Western Conference.
