Luka's Lakers Disappoint NBA Fans in Loss to Tatum, Celtics; LeBron Exits with Injury

The Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics while losing LeBron James to injury Saturday night.

James exited in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 111-110 loss with a strained groin.

Luka Dončić led the Lakers' fourth-quarter comeback effort, but the Celtics held on for the victory at TD Garden.

Jayson Tatum posted 40 points and 12 rebounds, while Jaylen Brown contributed 31 in the win.

The loss spoiled the eight-game win streak the Lakers have been riding since Feb. 20.

Fans were more worried about the long-term health of James, who posted 22 points and 14 rebounds in 35 minutes prior to his early exit.

James has previously missed significant time due to groin injuries, including a stretch of 27 games during the 2018-19 season.

The Lakers went into the half trailing by just four points, but fell behind during a weak third quarter on Saturday night.

The Celtics dominated the stretch, at one point going on a 27-4 run. The home team closed out the quarter with a 20-point advantage.

The Lakers stormed back to within four points later in the fourth quarter, but were unable to complete the comeback without James.

Dončić last played the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals, from which he and the Dallas Mavericks were eliminated in five games.

One month after his trade to the Lakers, Dončić struggled early in Saturday night's loss. After a strong fourth quarter, he finished the game with 34 points.

Both Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes were sidelined with knee injuries Saturday. Their absences pulled Jarred Vanderbilt and Dorian Finney-Smith into the starting lineup and drew scrutiny to the Lakers' frontcourt depth.

The Lakers will now drop back down behind the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 spot in the West.

Los Angeles will now wait for an update on James' injury before this week's four-game road trip continues Monday against the Brooklyn Nets.