Behind NBA’s hottest new duo, LeBron James and Luka Dončić, the Los Angeles Lakers entered Saturday night’s showdown with the Boston Celtics on an eight-game winning streak. This win propelled them up the Western Conference standings and into championship conversations.

The Celtics, however, showcased a formidable one-two punch. Jayson Tatum scored an impressive 40 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown contributed 31 points and six rebounds, leading the team to a 111-101 victory over the Lakers.

“It’s an honor,” Tatum remarked about participating in the storied Celtics-Lakers rivalry, adding, “The NBA is a better place when both teams are good.”

In total, this marked the 29th instance where Tatum and Brown have both scored over 30 points in a game, ranking as the fourth-highest in the NBA/ABA merger history.

While the first half was tightly contested, the Celtics broke away in the third quarter, demonstrating peak defensive prowess by limiting the Lakers to just 13 points.

“When your best players take pride in their defense, it sets the tone for the team,” emphasized Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.

Even amid a late-game surge from the Lakers, it was Tatum and Brown who delivered crucial plays, including consecutive three-pointers that solidified their dominance. This win reiterated the Celtics’ capacity to elevate their performance in critical moments, solidifying their title defense aspirations.