Jaylen Brown is a fan of Luka Doncic’s offensive game, and he didn’t hold back when discussing the Mavericks star. Following the Boston Celtics’ 111-101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, Brown praised Doncic as one of the league’s top offensive talents.
“I think Luka is one of the greats. He’s one of those generational talents, so I have fun watching Luka play,” Brown said. “Offensively, what he’s capable of doing, scoring the ball, his talent is second to none.”
Brown’s comments came after a strong performance by the Celtics, as they secured their fourth straight victory. Jayson Tatum led the charge with 40 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, while Brown contributed 31 points in a dominant team effort.
The Celtics (46-18) controlled the game for most of the night, but the Lakers (40-22) made a strong push in the fourth quarter. After losing LeBron James to a strained groin, Los Angeles managed to cut a 20-point deficit to single digits, but Tatum and Brown sealed the game with 12 unanswered points.
James had been playing well, finishing with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists before exiting the game. Meanwhile, Doncic, playing in Boston for the first time since the Celtics’ victory over the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, led the Lakers with 34 points and eight rebounds.
Despite his scoring efforts, Doncic’s frustration was evident after a fast-break collision with Al Horford left him with a knee to the head. Though no foul was called, Doncic made it clear that he was displeased by the contact.
Boston’s defense played a key role in the win, limiting the Lakers’ shooting. Los Angeles managed just 13 points in the third quarter, shooting 21% from the field and committing six turnovers. Jrue Holiday, who returned after missing four games due to a finger injury, made a solid contribution with seven points and five rebounds.
Kristaps Porzingis, however, remained sidelined due to illness. Despite their struggles, the Lakers remained competitive behind Doncic’s leadership. Austin Reaves added 16 points, but offensive consistency remained a challenge, particularly in the third quarter.
Tatum’s clutch play down the stretch helped the Celtics maintain their lead. His deep three-pointer stretched Boston’s advantage to double digits, and a 10-0 run by the Lakers in the fourth quarter was met by strong finishes from Tatum and Brown.
The Celtics capitalized on their free-throw opportunities, with Tatum going 10-of-12 from the line. As a team, Boston shot 72% from the charity stripe. The Celtics also won the rebounding battle 43-45, limiting the Lakers’ second-chance opportunities.
Doncic’s efforts were not enough to overcome the offensive struggles of his teammates. He shot 11-of-22 from the field but was unable to spark a complete comeback for Los Angeles. The loss snapped the Lakers’ eight-game home winning streak.
The Celtics will look to extend their winning streak in their next matchup against another playoff contender. Meanwhile, the Lakers will have to regroup after James’ injury. His status remains uncertain, and Los Angeles will rely more heavily on Doncic and Reaves in upcoming games.
