Celtics Vs Lakers: Boston Cruises to 111-89 Win as Jaylen Brown Stars
The Celtics beat the Lakers 111-89 in Los Angeles on Feb. 22, 2026, handing the Lakers a decisive loss in what was Boston’s third straight victory over its rival. The result matters because the win extends Boston’s surge to eight wins in nine games and highlights Jaylen Brown’s ascent into elite form amid a 37-19 season.
Celtics Vs Lakers Blowout in Los Angeles
Sunday night’s 111-89 final was described as a blowout, and it completed a three-game sweep of the Lakers this season. The Celtics have now won eight of nine overall, seven of those victories by double digits, a run that has re-shaped expectations for the club during this stretch.
Jaylen Brown’s 32-point, 8-rebound, 7-assist Performance
Brown led the way with a game-high 32 points, adding 8 rebounds and 7 assists. That output pushed his season average to a career-high 29. 2 points per game after the win. His ability to produce across scoring, rebounding and playmaking was central to Boston’s margin of victory and the string of dominant results.
JJ Redick Praises Brown’s Versatility and Film Study
Lakers coach JJ Redick offered pointed praise for Brown and also mentioned Payton Pritchard’s strong season. Redick said he was not surprised by the production and listed trophies and responsibilities—Conference Finals, MVP, Finals MVP—that Brown has shouldered as the No. 1 option. He noted having watched personnel tape and checking internal drive data on Brown’s left-versus-right tendencies, challenging the widespread notion that Brown cannot go left: "Everyone says he can’t go left and there are just no holes in his game. " That scouting-based endorsement underlines why Boston’s star has become tougher to contain.
Payton Pritchard and Locker-Room Reaction
Payton Pritchard spoke after the victory about Brown’s leadership, saying Brown has always been a strong leader and that leadership has become more visible this season as the roster has shifted toward younger pieces. Pritchard said the group had assumed Boston might take a step back but Brown is "leading us and doing a hell of a job, " a comment that captured internal sentiment about Brown’s role in the Celtics’ recent run.
Boston’s 37-19 Record and Jayson Tatum’s Status
Boston sits at 37-19 overall while Jayson Tatum remained sidelined for the contest. The team’s record and the nature of recent wins have contributed to its designation as one of the season’s surprises, a status driven in part by Brown’s elevated production and all-around impact.
Brown framed his own performance in broad terms after the game, saying he feels like "the best two-way player in the world, " emphasizing availability and leadership. He said he plays both ends each night, helps empower teammates to play confidently and seeks to win every night. Brown called it an honor to play in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry and said praise from LeBron—whom he called "arguably the best player to ever play the game"—was meaningful. He described himself as grateful and humbled to be in his position.
What makes this notable is how film study and analytics have been used by opponents to reassess Brown’s game even as his numbers grow: Redick’s reference to internal drive metrics and his conclusion that Brown has "no holes" suggests opposing staffs are changing their evaluations midseason. The cause-and-effect is clear—Brown’s refined, versatile attack has driven Boston’s recent string of large-margin wins, which in turn has forced rival coaching staffs to revise scouting assessments.
One contextual note from the wider coverage is that commentators labeled the game a franchise-history rout, though the specific franchise milestone is unclear in the provided context. A reporter identified as Brian, who covers the Celtics and the NBA and has reported on the team since 2010 with prior stops at NBA. com, Bleacher Report and Boston. com, contributed postgame material in coverage surrounding the contest.
The Celtics’ stretch of dominance, Brown’s career-high scoring average, the 111-89 result on Feb. 22, 2026, and the public endorsements from figures such as JJ Redick and Payton Pritchard combine to underscore why Boston’s resurgence is drawing attention even with Tatum out of the lineup.
