The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are undoubtedly two of the NBA’s most legendary franchises, and their rivalry is hailed as the greatest in professional basketball. These iconic teams have clashed a remarkable 12 times in the NBA Finals. Recently, during an exhilarating match between the Lakers and the Celtics, this fierce rivalry was again brought to the forefront.
Before the game, Celtics star Jayson Tatum commented that he doesn’t consider the Lakers true rivals, attributing this to the infrequency of their encounters in recent years. Nevertheless, the remarkable viewership statistics reveal that basketball enthusiasts were thoroughly captivated by this thrilling contest. According to Sports Media Watch, Saturday’s showdown between the Lakers and Celtics ranked as the most-watched regular-season NBA game in the last seven years.
“Taking out Christmas games, the 4.61 million fans LeBron James and Luka Doncic drew were the most since the NBA Finals rematch between LeBron’s Cavs and the Warriors in 2018, according to Sports Media Watch. 2025 Lakers vs. Celtics – 4.61 million, 2018 Cavaliers vs. Warriors – 4.7 million.” Sports Media Watch reported (via ClutchPoints’ recent post on X).
Saturday’s Lakers/Celtics game was the most-watched regular season game the NBA’s seen in 7 years 🤯
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 11, 2025
Taking out Christmas games, the 4.61 million fans LeBron James and Luka Doncic drew were the most since the NBA Finals rematch between LeBron’s Cavs and the Warriors in 2018,… pic.twitter.com/ynjito9SUX
The game also holds the title for the most-viewed game of the current season, surpassing the recent Celtics versus Knicks clash that attracted 3.01 million viewers. While the dynamic duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic is undeniably drawing significant buzz for the NBA, the latest ratings indicate that Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the Celtics are also emerging as major attractions for fans.
Notably, alongside Saturday’s game and Opening Night, last year’s Game 5 of the Finals featuring the Celtics and Dallas Mavericks captivated 12.2 million viewers, making it the sixth-most-watched NBA game since 2019.
Los Angeles Lakers-Boston Celtics Game Recap And Highlights
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The Los Angeles Lakers faced off against the Boston Celtics in a highly anticipated game at TD Garden. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown emerged as the standout players for the Celtics. Tatum played for 45 minutes, scoring 40 points, eight assists, and 12 rebounds, narrowly missing a triple-double. Brown contributed 31 points, two assists, and six rebounds in 42 minutes of play.
LeBron James and Luka Doncic were the key performers on the Lakers’ side. James played for 34 minutes, scoring 22 points, nine assists, and 14 rebounds. Doncic added 34 points, three assists, and eight rebounds during his 37 minutes on the court.
Both teams showcased intense competition in the first quarter, but the Celtics showcased their dominance in the second and third quarters, building a substantial lead. Despite a strong performance from the Lakers in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Ultimately, the Celtics triumphed with a final score of 111-101.
