Philippines, 26 Jul 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Lakers come from behind to stun Celtics


PhilBoxing.com




LOS ANGELES -- When Ray Allen swished a 3-pointer off a Kevin Garnett assist with 2:41 left to play against the Lakers, the Celtics sat on what seemed like a comfortable 94-89 lead.

But as the guys in green found out bitterly, no lead -- large and small -- is ever safe against Kobe Bryant.

Bryant, now a Masked Mamba, engineered an 8-0 run the rest of the way as the Lakers came from behind to stun the shell-shocked Celtics, 97-94, before a sellout crowd of 18,997 at the Staples Center.

Ironically, it was the Celtics who early plotted a big comeback when they erased a 15-point deficit by shooting 13 of 16 2nd quarter field goals. But that rally proved unsustainable as the Celtics 38-of-83 filed goals (47 percent) while the Lakers converted 36-of-71 (50.7 percent).

The Lakers sank 8-of-16 triples while the Celtics went only 6-of-17 beyond the arc. Boston had more assists 33-25, but the Lakers enjoyed a sizeable 42-34 rebounding edge.

It was thrilling game, one that saw 14 lead changes and 11 deadlocks. In the end, it boiled down to one team playing extremely better in the crunch.

"They made shots down the stretch and we didn't," said Celtics All-Star Rajon Rondo, who finished with 24 points and 10 assists. "We had some good looks at the rim, but shots didn't fall and we couldn't get a stop."

Bryant, who played for 42 minutes, led the Lakers with 27 points and 7 assists while Andrew Bynum bored through the paint with 14 rebounds and 20 points, including a nifty bucket in the final 15.5 seconds which gave the Lakers a 97-94 bulge.

Pau Gasol had another workmanlike performance with 13 points and 13 rebounds while the Artest now known as Metta World Peace made his presence felt with 14 points capped by three 3s.

All five Celtic starters ended up with double figures in points with Allen having 17, Brandon Bass with 15, Garnett 14 and Pierce 13. (NRR)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Nicholai R. Roska.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Tim Tszyu Dominates Spence in Wide UD Win as 'The Truth' Formally Retires
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Joshua Survives Early Knockdowns to Stop Prenga, Clearing Path for Fury Mega-Fight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Weigh-In Results - All Set for the Main Event Between Steven Butler and Edgar Berlanga Tomorrow Night in New York City!
    , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • Team USA Set for Capri Boxing Cup Against Italy on Saturday
    , Sun, 26 Jul 2026
  • 'The Comeback' Weigh-In results and confirmed Fight Night running order as AJ faces Prenga
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Errol Spence vs Tim Tszyu: Do or Die Down Under
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • SYDNEY WEIGH-IN REPORT: Spence and Tszyu On Weight; Co-Main Event Cancelled After Fulton Blows Weight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Fury Halts Wach in Thailand, Leaving Ball in Joshua’s Court for Mega-Fight
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Great First Half of the Year for the WBC
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • CK Ingles to Host Open 2x2 Team and Open Individual Rapid Chess Tournaments with ₱100,000 Prize Pool
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Magnificent 7 boxers gird for Asiad
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Arca wins silver in Asian Youth in Shenzhen, China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 25 Jul 2026
  • Anthony Joshua and Kristian Prenga exchange final words at Press Conference ahead of 'The Comeback'
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026
  • SYDNEY SHOWDOWN: Spence and Tszyu Exchange Final Verbal Barbs; Undercard Weight Drama Unfolds at Press Conference
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026
  • Spence vs Tszyu Fight Analysis and Prediction
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 24 Jul 2026
  • “BUTTERFLY BRAWL” MARKS RETURN TO ICONIC SANTA MONICA PIER
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Fri, 24 Jul 2026
  • AIM Jerick Faeldonia vying for Bangkok chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Jul 2026
  • PHILBOXING.COM THURSDAY ROUNDUP: Scale Shock in Pattaya, Red Sea Staredowns, and Final Countdown to Sydney
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026
  • USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel
    , Thu, 23 Jul 2026
  • P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Jul 2026
  • Super Lightweight Contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin Inks Promotional Pact with Top Rank
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Thu, 23 Jul 2026
  • DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026
  • Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026
  • Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
    By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , , Wed, 22 Jul 2026
  • Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 22 Jul 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.