The 8 -game Lakers’ victories sequence ends in Boston, LeBron James goes out late with an injury – Orange County Register

BOSTON – The Lakers faced their most difficult field test on Saturday since Luka Donnteic did her debut for the team almost a month ago.

And despite a strong attempt to return late, the Lakers did not overcome their 22 point deficit in the third quarter, falling to the title champion of the NBA Boston Celtics 111-101 Saturday at TD Garden, ending their sequence of record victories at eight games.

And to worsen things, LeBron James’ status in the future was unknown after having had to leave the match early because of an injury to the groin.

The Lakers (40-22), who were without starting the great man Jaxson Hayes (the murderous right knee) and the striker Rui Hachimura (left-wing tendinopathy), reduced their deficit to four with Luka Doncic (34 points, eight rebounds and three assists) leading the way.

After having fought in the first half, having as many reversals (three) as shots in the first two quarters, Doncic led the attempt to return from the Lakers.

He scored nine of their 13 points in the third quarter and scored 14 in fourth, including a pair of free throws to reduce the Lakers deficit to 96-92 with five minutes to do after having followed 80-58 halfway through the third.

But it was the closest that the Lakers obtained, with Jayson Tatum (40 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists) and Jaylen Brown (31 points, six rebounds) leading the Celtics (46-18) to close the game.

James finished with 22 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, but did not play the last 6:44 because of a tense groin.

He was not immediately clear how or when James suffered the injury, but he reported to the Lakers bench for a dead time to be called after Brown did a lay-up to put the Celtics 94-85 with 6:44 to play.

James seemed to stretch the injured area during dead time but returned to the locker room and did not return.

The Lakers, starting a smaller range featuring Jarred Vanderbilt in place of Hayes, started strong, spreading the defense of Celtics and remain disciplined defensively.

They jumped to a 20-12 lead which decreased to be tied at 33 years at the end of the first quarter once the 3 points of the Celtics began to fall.

Boston led 58-54 at halftime.

The Lakers fired 5 for 23 on the field, 1 per 10 out of 3s, and had six reversals during the third, that the Celtics won 29-13.

The James’ lay-ups at brand 1:39 of the third was the first non-given basket of the third lakers.