Luka’s First Taste of Lakers-Celtics Rivalry Ends in Defeat: Tatum, Celtics Outduel Dončić and Lakers in Boston

In a highly anticipated matchup on March 8, 2025, the Boston Celtics hosted the Los Angeles Lakers at the TD Garden, rekindling a storied NBA rivalry. This game marked Luka Dončić’s inaugural experience of the Celtics-Lakers rivalry as a Laker, following his NBA Finals loss to Boston with the Dallas Mavericks the previous year.

Game Recap: Celtics 111, Lakers 101

The Celtics emerged victorious with a 111-101 win, propelled by stellar performances from their star players. Jayson Tatum delivered an impressive 40 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, shooting 12-of-28 (42.9%) from the field, including 6-of-16 (37.5%) from three-point range, and 10-of-12 (83.3%) from the free-throw line. Jaylen Brown added 31 points and six rebounds, shooting 13-of-25 (52%) from the field and 3-of-6 (50%) from beyond the arc. Veteran Al Horford contributed significantly with 14 points, nine rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block, shooting 5-of-9 (55.6%) from the field and 3-of-4 (75%) from the free-throw line.

For the Lakers, Dončić led with 34 points and eight rebounds, shooting 11-of-22 (50%) from the field, including 5-of-10 (50%) from three-point range, and 7-of-8 (87.5%) from the free-throw line. LeBron James recorded a double-double with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists, shooting 11-of-23 (47.8%) from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, missing all six of his three-point attempts. James also exited the game in the fourth quarter due to a groin injury.

Team Statistics:

Field Goal Percentage: Celtics shot 43.8% (39-of-89); Lakers shot 41.9% (36-of-86).

Three-Point Percentage: Celtics shot 34.1% (14-of-41); Lakers shot 36.4% (12-of-33).

Free Throw Percentage: Celtics shot 79.2% (19-of-24); Lakers shot 68.8% (17-of-24).

Rebounds: Celtics had 47 total rebounds; Lakers had 50.

Assists: Celtics recorded 24 assists; Lakers had 19.

Turnovers: Both teams committed 14 turnovers each.


The Celtics dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Lakers 29-13, which proved pivotal in securing their victory. Despite a late rally by the Lakers, narrowing a 22-point deficit to four, the Celtics maintained their composure to seal the win.

Post-Game Trajectories

Boston Celtics:

Building on their momentum, the Celtics secured a 114-108 victory over the Utah Jazz on March 10. Sam Hauser delivered a career-high 33 points, including nine three-pointers, becoming the fourth Celtic to achieve this feat in a game.  This win extended their streak to five consecutive victories, solidifying their position as strong contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Los Angeles Lakers:

The Lakers faced challenges following their loss to the Celtics. On March 10, they were defeated by the Brooklyn Nets 111-108, marking their second consecutive loss. Dončić recorded a triple-double with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Compounding their woes, LeBron James’ groin injury is expected to sideline him for 1-2 weeks, raising concerns about the Lakers’ performance in his absence.

Looking Ahead

The Celtics are set to host the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 12, aiming to extend their winning streak. Conversely, the Lakers will face the Milwaukee Bucks on March 13, seeking to overcome recent setbacks and adjust to playing without James.

This recent chapter in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry not only showcased individual brilliance but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of the NBA, where team dynamics can shift rapidly due to injuries and subsequent performances.