Lakers Crush Celtics, 117-96, In a Thrilling Rivalry Week Matchup
It’s NBA Rivalry Week 2025, and few showdowns hold as much history—or animosity—as the Los Angeles Lakers facing off against the Boston Celtics. Even though Boston still claims one more title than the Lakers overall, last night’s blowout win at Crypto.com Arena proved the Purple and Gold aren’t about to take a backseat to anyone.
Davis Sets the Tone
Anthony Davis was an absolute force, racking up 24 points and imposing his will in the paint. His three blocks and one steal made life miserable for the Celtics any time they ventured inside. Watching Davis dominate like that was a reminder of just how big a game-changer he can be when he’s locked in and focused on protecting the rim.
LeBron Steps Up—Again
LeBron James always seems to bring a little extra fire when he’s up against the Celtics. The memories of those classic playoff battles clearly still fuel him, because he came out looking like he had a personal score to settle. He racked up 20 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists in just 31 minutes, delivering jaw-dropping dunks and key defensive stops that kept the crowd at Crypto.com Arena on its feet all night.
Reaves Shines Bright
Austin Reaves was another standout, dropping 23 points along with six assists and three rebounds. The Celtics tried to pick on him defensively, but he answered by knocking down shots and dishing dimes whenever the Lakers needed a spark. His composure under pressure was a huge reason Los Angeles never lost control of the game.
Bench Mob Delivers
To top it off, the Lakers got a big lift from Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht, who combined for 25 points off the bench. Their energy and timely baskets helped keep the Celtics at bay whenever the starters took a breather. If Los Angeles can keep getting that kind of bench production, they’ll be a tough team to slow down.
What’s Next
With this big win, the Lakers carry serious momentum into Saturday’s clash against the Golden State Warriors, which also kicks off their annual Grammy road trip—one of their longest stretches away from home. After dominating the reigning champs, fans have plenty of reason to feel optimistic about what this team can do the rest of the season.
