Celtics Dominate Lakers, Thunder and Warriors Also Secure Wins in NBA Action

Los Angeles (United States), February 23, 2026 – The Los Angeles Lakers faced a decisive defeat against the Boston Celtics at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, February 22, 2026, succumbing to a score of 111-89. While the game didn’t carry the championship weight of historic Lakers-Celtics clashes, the rivalry continues to captivate basketball fans.

Celtics Surge Past Lakers

The Celtics secured their second victory of the season against the Lakers, fueled by a strong performance from Jaylen Brown, who contributed 32 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Payton Pritchard added 30 points off the bench, shooting 10-for-14 from the field and 6-for-9 from three-point range in 38 minutes of play. The Celtics took control in the second quarter and steadily extended their lead to a final margin of +22 points.

Thunder Halt Cavaliers’ Winning Streak

In a key Eastern-Western Conference matchup, the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-113, ending the Cavaliers’ seven-game winning streak. Despite the absence of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander due to an abdominal muscle injury – his status will be re-evaluated in the coming days – the Thunder relied on a collective effort. Joe led the scoring for the Thunder with 22 points, while the Cavaliers saw contributions of 20 points each from Harden, Mitchell, and Merrill. A back-and-forth battle was ultimately decided by late-game triples from Dort, Williams, and Wallace.

Warriors Triumph Over Nuggets

The Golden State Warriors delivered a strong performance against the Denver Nuggets, winning 128-117. Brandin Podziemski stepped up in the absence of Steph Curry, scoring 12 of his 18 total points in the final five minutes and securing the winning shot. Moody (23 points), Horford (22 points), and Melton (20 points) also contributed significantly to the Warriors’ victory. Despite a monumental performance from Nikola Jokic, with 25 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists, the Nuggets were unable to overcome the Warriors.

Other Notable NBA Results

Other games on February 22, 2026, saw the following results:

• Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 111-109, with Desmond Bane scoring 36 points for the Magic.
• New York Knicks beat the Chicago Bulls 105-99, led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 39th double-double of the season (28 points and 11 rebounds).
• Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 135-108, with Tyrese Maxey scoring 39 points and 8 assists.
• Atlanta Hawks won against the Brooklyn Nets 115-104.
• Toronto Raptors defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 122-94.
• Dallas Mavericks beat the Indiana Pacers 134-130.
• Charlotte Hornets won against the Washington Wizards 129-112.
• Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns 92-77.

Tickets for the Lakers vs. Celtics game were available through Crypto.com Arena, SeatGeek, and Gametime, but have now closed. Koobit also previously offered tickets.