Lakers Complete Stunning Comeback to Beat Celtics 118-114 in Overtime Thriller

The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks of the 2025-26 NBA season, overcoming a 22-point third-quarter deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 118-114 in overtime at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday night.

LeBron James, despite being in his 24th NBA season, showed why he remains one of the league's premier clutch performers. The 41-year-old superstar scored 15 of his game-high 42 points in the fourth quarter and overtime, including the game-winning three-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining in the extra period.

"I've been in this league long enough to know that no lead is safe," James said after the game. "Our guys never stopped believing, and we just kept chipping away possession by possession."

The Celtics appeared to have the game well in hand when Jayson Tatum's three-pointer gave Boston a 89-67 lead with 4:47 remaining in the third quarter. Tatum finished with 38 points and 12 rebounds but struggled in the final moments, missing two crucial free throws that could have sealed the victory.

Anthony Davis was instrumental in the Lakers' rally, recording a double-double with 28 points and 16 rebounds while anchoring the defense that held Boston to just 18 points in the fourth quarter. The Lakers outscored the Celtics 35-18 in the final frame to force overtime.

The victory moves the Lakers to 35-22 on the season, keeping pace in the competitive Western Conference playoff race. For Boston, the loss drops them to 41-16, though they maintain the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick praised his team's resilience in the post-game press conference. "This is the kind of game that can define a season," Redick said. "The way we came together and fought back shows the character of this group."

The game featured several momentum swings, with neither team leading by more than five points in the overtime period. Austin Reaves contributed 19 points off the bench for Los Angeles, while Kristaps Porzingis added 22 points for Boston before fouling out late in regulation.

The two storied franchises will meet again in Boston on March 15th in what promises to be another highly anticipated matchup between these championship contenders.