Jaylen Brown led the Boston Celtics with 30 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists as the home team rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers 126-105 at TD Garden on Friday night. Boston shot a season-high 24 three-pointers and dished out 31 assists in a display of offensive cohesion.
Derrick White contributed 19 points, including five three-pointers, while Jordan Walsh added 17 for the Celtics, who have now won four straight and six of their last seven games. Boston never trailed, opening a 29-point lead in the second quarter.
The Lakers were without LeBron James, sidelined with sciatica and left foot arthritis, and Luka Doncic, who missed his second consecutive game for personal reasons. Austin Reaves led Los Angeles with 36 points and eight assists, and Gabe Vincent chipped in 18 points, but the duo could not keep the team close.
With the game decided in the fourth quarter, Bronny James made his TD Garden debut, checking in with 6:38 remaining. He scored five points on 2-of-3 shooting and added one assist, making a brief but memorable appearance in front of his father’s supportive presence on the bench.
Boston quickly quelled a late Lakers run that cut the deficit to 15, restoring a 20-plus point margin to maintain control. The Celtics’ defense forced 14 turnovers and converted them into fast-break opportunities, highlighting their efficient transition play.
Neemias Queta contributed 10 points and six rebounds off the bench, while Payton Pritchard added 15 points and six assists, supporting Boston’s balanced scoring attack. Derrick White’s sharpshooting and Brown’s all-around performance set the tone for the rout.
The Lakers, despite out-rebounding Boston 35-38, struggled to maintain consistency without their stars. Rui Hachimura scored 13 points, and Deandre Ayton grabbed 10 rebounds, but the support beyond Reaves and Vincent was limited.
Boston (14-9) will travel to Toronto on Sunday, aiming to extend their winning streak, while the Lakers (16-6) face Philadelphia the same night, seeking to bounce back from a rare double-digit loss.
