Celtics vs. Lakers: Why historic rivalry got a rare boost from NBA

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Celtics vs. Lakers: Why historic rivalry got a rare boost from NBA

Souichi Terada · MassLive

Sun, Feb 22, 2026 ·

2 min read

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LOS ANGELES — The Celtics and Lakers will meet 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Crypto.com Arena, renewing one of the NBA’s oldest rivalries. This year’s edition got an extra boost from the NBA compared to the past.

First and foremost, both teams are expected to be at full strength. The Lakers will feature their stars like LeBron James , Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves , plus former C’s guard Marcus Smart is good to play. The Celtics only have Jayson Tatum listed on their injury report as they’ve been healthy coming out of the All-Star break.

“Obviously, there’s a reason why this job is the way it is and there’s a reason why the team is the way it is,” C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said. “It’s because of the people that have gone before you, and there’s been a bunch of people who have left the Celtics in a better place. Any time you step on the court for the Celtics, you have to understand the history and tradition that they have. Celtics-Lakers is an example of that.”

Don’t take both teams being healthy for granted. The NBA allowed both the C’s and Lakers to have at least one day off before Sunday’s game, putting it on the nationally-televised stage. That hasn’t necessarily been the case in recent seasons because of the scheduling.

Look no further than the Celtics vs. Lakers game in Boston back on Dec. 5. Both teams played a road game the night prior then had to travel to TD Garden for the game. James, Doncic and Smart didn’t play that night in what was a blowout Celtics victory . It was a shame considering these teams only play twice a season, but it was scheduled in a way where neither side was able to showcase its best.

On another note, this could be the last time James plays against the Celtics in a Lakers jersey. James is looking at free agency this summer with his potential retirement coming soon. This is James’ eighth season in Los Angeles, the longest he’s ever spent with one team in a consecutive tenure. So that’s at least something worth noting.

The Celtics enter Sunday’s game as one of the best teams in the East. They’re 36-19, exceeding every preseason expectation, and they’ve won seven of their last eight games. The Lakers are 34-21, tied for fourth in the West. So it should be a competitive game Sunday with some of the game’s brightest starts playing.

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