Lakers Stage Comeback Victory Against Celtics in Classic Rivalry Showdown

The Los Angeles Lakers delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season Thursday night, overcoming a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 118-112 in overtime at Crypto.com Arena.

LeBron James turned back the clock with a masterful 38-point, 12-rebound, 8-assist performance that reminded fans why he remains one of the game's elite players at age 41. The four-time champion was particularly dominant in the final frame and overtime, scoring 18 of his points when it mattered most.

"This is what we live for," James said after the game. "Big games against historic rivals, with everything on the line. Our team showed tremendous character tonight."

Anthony Davis provided crucial support with 24 points and 11 rebounds, while Austin Reaves contributed 19 points off the bench. The Lakers shot just 39% from the field through three quarters but found their rhythm when it counted, finishing the game at 47% from the floor.

Boston appeared to be in control for most of the contest, led by Jayson Tatum's 31 points and Jaylen Brown's 26. The Celtics built their largest lead at 89-74 with 11:24 remaining in regulation, but the Lakers responded with a 21-6 run over the next eight minutes to tie the game.

The victory extends Los Angeles' winning streak to seven games and moves them to within 1.5 games of the sixth seed in the Western Conference. With 28 games remaining in the regular season, the Lakers are positioning themselves for another playoff run behind their veteran core.

Next up for the Lakers is a challenging five-game road trip that begins Sunday in Denver against the defending champion Nuggets.