No LeBron James and Anthony Davis? No problem.
Austin Reaves took charge for the Los Angeles Lakers to beat the top team in the East, the Boston Celtics, 114-105.
Reaves made it rain at TD Garden and scored a season-high 32 points on 10 of 18 field goals, including a career-high seven triples.
Austin Reaves stepped up on the road against the NBA's top team, scoring a season-high 32 PTS and knocking down a career-high 7 triples!
— NBA (@NBA) February 2, 2024
Lakers win 114-105 in Boston. pic.twitter.com/fZ4OLabsrU
The Lakers ruled out LeBron James and Anthony Davis in the matchup against the NBA’s No. 1 team.
James is experiencing soreness in his left ankle. Meanwhile, AD is on the injury report because of bilateral Achilles tendinopathy and left hip spasms, which also caused him to miss the Lakers' loss to the Atlanta Hawks last Tuesday.
The remaining Lakers shot 13 three-pointers in the first half, resulting in a commanding 60-46 lead by halftime. Boston came around with a 12-2 run in the third but LA had more open looks to stay ahead.
The Celtics never got closed the seven-point gap in the fourth quarter.
All Laker starters were in double digits. D’Angelo Russell, amidst the trade rumors, showed up and finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, and 14 assists. Jaxson Hayes supplied the front court 16 points and 10 boards. Rui Hachimura also remained productive from the bench and tallied 15 points, eight rebounds, and four dishes.
Jayson Tatum led the Celtics in scoring with 23 points. Kristaps Porzingis and Sam Hauser followed it up with 17 points apiece.
After being named one of this season’s NBA All-Star reserves for the East, Jaylen Brown produced eight points in the game.
Officially a 3x All-Star ?????? pic.twitter.com/cPgfNp5kdl
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 2, 2024
The Lakers' victory effectively pushed them up to exactly .500 with a 25-25 record, while the Celtics absorbed only their third loss at TD Garden this season.
What he said
The Lakers-Boston rivalry will always be a basketball classic.
For the 23-year-old Hayes, it’s a dream come true to be given the opportunity to play for the Lakers and start in it.
"It's a childhood dream. Starting in a Lakers vs Celtics game? That's what you grow up watching."
"It's a childhood dream. Starting in a Lakers vs Celtics game? That's what you grow up watching." pic.twitter.com/0smLYYAKzj
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 2, 2024
