The Boston Celtics delivered a powerful statement performance at TD Garden, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 128-106 in an NBA regular-season clash. The game was highlighted by a sensational night from Payton Pritchard, who came off the bench to score 28 points and capped the win with a dramatic buzzer-beater three-pointer.
The victory marked Boston’s fourth straight win and strengthened their position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Match Summary
Boston controlled the game from the opening quarter and never allowed the Lakers to gain momentum. The Celtics built a double-digit lead early and maintained their dominance with balanced scoring and strong defense.
| Quarter | Score |
|---|---|
| Q1 | BOS 32 – LAL 24 |
| Q2 | BOS 34 – LAL 28 |
| Halftime | BOS 66 – LAL 52 |
| Q3 | BOS 30 – LAL 25 |
| Q4 | BOS 28 – LAL 29 |
| Final | Boston 128 – Lakers 106 |
Boston led for most of the night, and Pritchard’s final-second three pushed the margin to 22 points, giving fans a memorable finish.
Payton Pritchard’s Breakout Night
Pritchard provided energy and scoring punch from the bench, delivering one of his best performances of the season.
| Player | Points | FG | 3PT | Rebounds | Assists | Steals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payton Pritchard | 28 | 10-16 | 6-10 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
His buzzer-beater at the end of the fourth quarter became the highlight of the night and quickly went viral among fans.
Jaylen Brown Leads the Starters
While Pritchard stole the spotlight, Boston’s starters also played a key role. Jaylen Brown led the team with 31 points and set the tone early, scoring efficiently and attacking the Lakers’ defense throughout the game.
Key Celtics Performances
- Jaylen Brown: 31 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
- Jayson Tatum: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
- Jrue Holiday: 14 points, 7 assists
Boston’s balanced attack made it difficult for the Lakers to slow them down.
Lakers Effort Falls Short
Los Angeles struggled defensively and could not keep pace with Boston’s scoring.
Top Lakers Performers
- LeBron James: 28 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists
- Austin Reaves: 19 points
- Anthony Davis: 16 points, 12 rebounds (limited by foul trouble)
Despite strong individual numbers, the Lakers lacked consistent support and dropped their second straight game.
Standings Impact
| Team | Record | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | 45-12 | 1st in East |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 33-26 | 7th in West |
Boston also improved its home record to an impressive 33-5 this season.
What’s Next?
- Celtics: vs Minnesota Timberwolves (Feb 24)
- Lakers: vs Denver Nuggets (Feb 24)
With strong momentum and depth production, Boston looks increasingly confident heading toward the playoff stretch.
Pritchard’s performance sparked heavy reaction online, with many fans calling for a bigger role for the guard. The hashtags #PaytonPritchard and #CelticsVsLakers trended as viewers praised Boston’s depth and energy.
Boston’s dominant win showed why they are one of the league’s top teams. With stars performing and the bench delivering big moments, the Celtics continue to build strong momentum. If Payton Pritchard keeps playing at this level, he could emerge as one of the most valuable sixth men in the NBA this season.
