Lakers Complete Stunning Fourth Quarter Comeback Against Celtics in Triple Overtime Thriller

The Los Angeles Lakers delivered one of the most memorable performances of the 2025-26 NBA season Thursday night, erasing a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Boston Celtics 142-139 in triple overtime at TD Garden. The victory marked the Lakers' 35th win of the season and dealt a significant blow to Boston's championship aspirations.

LeBron James, at 41 years old, turned back the clock with a masterful display of clutch basketball. The four-time champion scored 18 of his game-high 47 points in the fourth quarter alone, repeatedly finding ways to keep the Lakers alive when elimination seemed imminent. His step-back three-pointer with 12.3 seconds remaining in regulation tied the game at 118-118, forcing the first overtime period.

"This is why I still play this game," James said after the contest. "Moments like these, against a great team like Boston, in this historic building - this is what basketball is all about. My teammates believed in me, and I just tried to make the right plays."

Anthony Davis provided crucial support with 31 points and 16 rebounds, including several key defensive stops in the overtime periods. The duo's veteran leadership proved invaluable as the Lakers outscored Boston 24-21 across the three extra sessions. Russell Westbrook added 23 points and 11 assists, orchestrating the Lakers' offensive attack with precision.

For the Celtics, Jayson Tatum's 43-point effort wasn't enough to prevent their third consecutive loss. The All-Star forward appeared visibly frustrated after missing a potential game-winning shot in the second overtime period. Jaylen Brown contributed 28 points and 8 rebounds, but Boston's bench was outscored 32-18, ultimately proving decisive in the extended battle.

The loss drops Boston to 31-19 on the season, now trailing the Milwaukee Bucks by 2.5 games for the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Lakers improve to 35-15 and maintain their grip on the third seed in the competitive Western Conference, just one game behind the Denver Nuggets for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.