Celtics Sweep Lakers, Jaylen Brown Earns MVP Buzz
Los Angeles, CA – February 23, 2026 – The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 111-89 on Sunday night, completing a season sweep of their historic rivalry. Jaylen Brown led the Celtics with 32 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, while Payton Pritchard added 30 points with six 3-pointers and eight assists. The win marks the Celtics’ third straight victory and eighth in their last nine games as they pursue the Detroit Pistons for the top spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
Brown and Pritchard Dominate Second Half
Brown and Pritchard combined for 19 points each in the second half, with Pritchard sealing the victory with a step-back 3-pointer with 3:24 remaining, prompting the Lakers to empty their bench. The Celtics maintained a comfortable lead throughout the latter portion of the game, controlling the contest against a Lakers team that has struggled to find consistency.
James Reaches Milestone, Lakers Fall Short
Despite the loss, LeBron James reached a career milestone, scoring his 43,000th point. He finished the game with 20 points. Luka Dončić contributed 25 points for the Lakers, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Celtics’ strong performance. Los Angeles was held to its second-lowest point total of the season.
Riley Honored at Halftime
The Lakers took time during halftime to honor Pat Riley, unveiling a bronze statue of the former coach outside the arena. Riley won six championship rings during his two decades with the Lakers, including four titles as head coach of the Showtime Lakers in the 1980s.
Lakers Face Health and Consistency Challenges
The Lakers have faced challenges with team health this season, with Dončić, James, and Reaves playing together for only the 12th time. Further compounding issues, backup center Jaxson Hayes suffered an ankle injury before halftime. The Lakers too received three technical fouls due to a series of questionable calls.
Jaylen Brown Receives MVP Consideration
Following his dominant performance, Jaylen Brown has received an endorsement for the NBA MVP award from LeBron James. ESPN reports that James acknowledged Brown’s impact in the win and believes he deserves consideration for the league’s highest individual honor.