Lakers Player Ratings: Sloppy Night in Boston Ends in Stunning Loss to Celtics

In a rivalry that never lacks drama, the latest chapter between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics delivered a shocking result—just not the kind purple and gold fans were hoping for. In a game filled with missed assignments, cold shooting, and uncharacteristic mistakes, the Lakers stumbled through one of their ugliest performances of the season, allowing Boston to seize control and never look back.

Here’s how the Lakers graded out in a disappointing night at TD Garden.

⭐ LeBron James – C+

LeBron James flirted with a near triple-double, but this wasn’t one of his signature performances. While he managed to stuff the stat sheet, his efficiency left much to be desired. Settling for contested jumpers and committing costly turnovers in transition, LeBron struggled to impose his will on the game. Defensively, he had moments of strong rotations but also lost focus on a few key possessions that led to easy Celtics buckets.

For a player of his standard, this was simply below par.

⭐ Anthony Davis – C

Anthony Davis had a golden opportunity to dominate inside but failed to consistently assert himself. Boston’s physical defense pushed him off his spots, and he settled for mid-range attempts instead of attacking the rim. While Davis contributed on the boards and altered shots defensively, his offensive passiveness hurt the Lakers when they needed a steady scoring option.

Against an elite opponent, the Lakers need Davis to be dominant—not just present.

⭐ D’Angelo Russell – D

D’Angelo Russell endured a rough outing. His shot selection was questionable, and when his perimeter attempts didn’t fall, his overall impact diminished rapidly. Defensively, he struggled to contain dribble penetration, forcing help rotations that left Boston shooters open beyond the arc. In a high-intensity rivalry game, the Lakers needed poise at the guard position—and didn’t get it.

⭐ Austin Reaves – C-

Austin Reaves brought energy, but efficiency eluded him. He attacked the rim with aggression yet couldn’t convert consistently through contact. On defense, he competed but was overmatched at times by Boston’s physical wings. Reaves’ hustle was commendable, but hustle alone wasn’t enough to swing momentum.

⭐ Rui Hachimura – C

Rui Hachimura provided some scoring punch off the bench, particularly in the second quarter when the Lakers desperately needed offense. However, defensive lapses and missed box-outs negated much of his positive contribution. His inconsistency mirrored the team’s overall performance.

Bench Unit – D+

The Lakers’ supporting cast failed to provide the spark necessary to shift the tide. Boston’s bench outplayed and outworked them, extending leads instead of allowing Los Angeles to claw back. Defensive communication broke down repeatedly, and second-chance points proved costly.

Overall Team Grade – D

The loss wasn’t just about missed shots—it was about discipline and urgency. The Celtics played with cohesion and defensive intensity, while the Lakers looked disjointed and reactive. In a rivalry steeped in history, effort and execution are non-negotiable. On this night, the Lakers fell short in both areas.

If this performance proves anything, it’s that talent alone isn’t enough—especially against Boston. The Lakers will need sharper focus, better shot selection, and a renewed defensive identity if they hope to flip the script in the next meeting of this storied rivalry.