Unfortunately, LeBron James left the game in the fourth quarter with a groin injury, which JJ Redick called a “concern.”
It was still a thrilling game between the two rivals. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 34 points and eight rebounds.
Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with a game-high 40 points along with 12 rebounds and eight assists.
It was the first game against the Celtics and Lakers since Doncic was acquired via trade on Feb. 1. Moreover, it was Doncic vs. Tatum, which was the NBA Finals matchup in 2024.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic dribbles the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford
Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images
In the end, it was the Celtics who got the victory as the Lakers lost for the first time since Feb. 19.
After the game, Doncic and Tatum shared a moment with a postgame handshake.
The NBA even had a two-word reaction to the clip: “All love.”
The two stars battled it out in the previous NBA Finals with the Celtics defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games.
Tatum and Doncic exchanged some words and smiles with each other before going their separate ways.
The Lakers and Celtics don’t face each other again in the regular season, which means any future matchup this year would be in the NBA Finals.