In what could be an NBA Finals preview, Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics topped LeBron James and his L.A. Lakers 111-101 on Saturday night in a nationally televised game.
Tatum, who is playing his best basketball of the season since the All-Star Break, tallied 40 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.
Following the game, Tatum said the Celtics-Lakers rivalry brings out the best in both teams and is good for the NBA.
“It’s an honor, the history, tradition, all the legends that wore these uniforms, that competed in these battles,” Tatum said.
“The NBA is a better place when the Lakers and Celtics are good.”
In addition to the loss to rival Boston, James left the game in the fourth quarter with a groin strain, and could miss “a few weeks,” according to reports.
James registered 22 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists, narrowly missing a triple double even though he missed much of the fourth quarter.
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 34 points.
“Not much concern,” James said of his injury. “Day-to-day, look at it each day to see if it gets better and take the proper measurements and see what we need to do going forward.”