- Los Angeles Lakers defeated Boston Celtics 116-96 in their first meeting this season
- LeBron James marked his 21st NBA All-Star selection with 20 points and 14 rebounds
- Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves led the Lakers in scoring with 24 and 23 points, respectively
- Kristaps Porziņģis was the top scorer for Boston with 22 points, supported by Jaylen Brown (17) and Jayson Tatum (16)
- Lakers remain fifth in the Western Conference with a 24-18 record, while Celtics hold second in the East at 31-14
Key Takeaways:
The Los Angeles Lakers delivered a commanding 116-96 victory over the Boston Celtics, handing the reigning NBA champions their worst loss of the season. The highly anticipated clash between the two historic rivals was their first meeting of the 2023-24 season. LeBron James, freshly selected for a record-breaking 21st NBA All-Star Game earlier in the day, celebrated with a standout performance, recording 20 points and 14 rebounds. Anthony Davis led the Lakers with 24 points, while Austin Reaves contributed 23 in a stellar display.
Making his 21st #NBAAllStar appearance… LeBron James of the @Lakers.
Drafted as the 1st pick in 2003 out of Akron, Ohio, @KingJames is averaging 23.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 9.0 APG for the Lakers this season. pic.twitter.com/OEowf4pMqq
— #NBAAllStar (@NBAAllStar) January 24, 2025
The Celtics struggled to keep pace, despite Kristaps Porziņģis’ 22 points, along with contributions from Jaylen Brown (17 points) and Jayson Tatum (16 points). The Lakers established a firm lead in the first half, entering halftime with a 19-point advantage. While Boston outscored the Lakers in the third quarter (20-16), the home team regained momentum in the fourth to seal the 21-point triumph. The victory marked the largest margin in the rivalry since 2021, when the Celtics beat the Lakers 130-108.
In the current standings, the Lakers hold fifth place in the Western Conference with a 24-18 record, while the Celtics are second in the Eastern Conference at 31-14.