🏀 Lakers vs Celtics: The Night Boston Lit Up the NBA—Here’s What Really Happened

December 06, 2025

Image Source :: Brian Fluharty/Getty Images


On December 5, 2025, the Celtics hosted the Lakers at TD Garden — and delivered a clinic. The final: Celtics 126, Lakers 105. The result felt inevitable early on. ESPN.com+2CBS Sports+2

Boston exploded out of the gate, posting a scorching 39 points in the first quarter alone. The Lakers never recovered. From the outset, Boston dictated the pace. ESPN.com+1

By halftime, the lead was already commanding — and the Celtics coasted through the second half, sealing a lopsided win. BostonGlobe.com+1

Who Shined for Boston — and Why Their Game Clicked

  • Jaylen Brown led the charge with a full stat line: 30 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists. He orchestrated the offense and delivered when it mattered. ESPN.com+1

  • Derrick White added a strong offensive contribution, hitting five 3-pointers and finishing with 19 points. CBS Sports+1

  • Young guard Jordan Walsh also made his presence felt, dropping 17 points — part of a broader surge among Boston’s younger supporting cast. ESPN.com+1

  • Offensively, Boston was on fire from deep: season-high 24 made 3-pointers, on 53.3% shooting from beyond the arc. Their ball movement showed too — 31 assists overall. BostonGlobe.com+1

On paper, this looked like a balanced, confident Celtics squad — and in practice, that’s exactly how they played. They never trailed. The Washington Post+1

What Went Wrong — From LA’s Side

The Lakers showed up without their biggest names. LeBron James was sidelined with sciatica and arthritis in his left foot. ESPN+1 Luka Dončić missed the game due to personal reasons — and even Marcus Smart was out with a muscle strain. ESPN+1

Without those core pieces, the Lakers lacked offensive rhythm and defensive cohesion. At one point, they trailed by 22 in the first quarter alone. Silver Screen and Roll+1

Still, there were bright spots: Austin Reaves stepped up with 36 points and 8 assists. ESPN.com+1 Gabe Vincent added 18 points. ESPN+1 But neither of those individual efforts could patch the holes left by missing starters. As the Celtics pulled away late, the game was firmly out of reach. The Washington Post+1

Why This Game Matters — For Celtics, Lakers, and the Rivalry

For Boston

This win serves as a statement. Even without all-star depth across the league, when the shooters are hot and the ball moves — this Celtics team can hum. The 24 3-pointers are proof they’re embracing a high-volume, high-efficiency offense. That can send a signal across the league: the Celtics are deep, versatile, and dangerous.

Also, contribution from guys like Walsh shows that Boston’s supporting cast may be stronger — and deeper — than many expected. As injuries pile up around the NBA, that kind of depth matters.

For Los Angeles

This was a harsh reminder of their fragility without their stars. The absence of LeBron James and Luka Dončić — combined with injuries — exposed how reliant the Lakers remain on a few go-to options.

Still, the fact that Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent delivered under pressure suggests that there is fight in this roster. What’s concerning is that without consistency or depth beyond those few, the margin for error is razor-thin.

For the Rivalry

Whenever the Lakers and Celtics meet, there’s history. But lately, due to misaligned schedules and changing rosters, some of that spark had diminished.

This blowout win — 126-105 — might rekindle that feeling. Especially if both teams meet again later, healthier. For now though, it showed why the rivalry still matters.

What’s Next — What to Watch For

  • Injury report & roster news: Will LeBron, Luka, and Smart be back for the Lakers soon? That will dramatically alter how much faith fans should put in the roster. ESPN+1

  • Celtics’ momentum: Can Boston keep this offensive rhythm — the 3-point barrage, efficient ball movement — going over the next few games? That’ll show if this win was a flash or a sign.

  • How the Lakers respond: Will they lean more into Reaves, Vincent and others — or adjust the roster deeper? And will that approach work against healthier teams?

Also — for viewers wondering where to watch Lakers vs Celtics, generally games are shown on NBA broadcasting partners depending on region. For future match-ups, platforms like NBA.com or local league-pass providers tend to carry the broadcast (depending on your region).

Final Thoughts

Here’s the bottom line: the latest Lakers vs Celtics showdown wasn’t close. Boston was on fire. Their shooting was lethal. Their ball movement was smooth. Their depth showed. For the Lakers, it exposed structural weak points — especially when their stars are down.

If you’re a Celtics fan, this felt like a glimpse at a team peaking. If you’re a Lakers fan — or just an NBA watcher — this was a reminder that even giants can stumble if the cast isn't ready.

But the rivalry isn’t gone. Not by a long shot. And if — when — both teams are healthy again, the next Lakers vs Celtics will matter even more.

References


Tech D

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