The Boston Celtics are turning heads across the NBA with their scorching hot streak, capping it off with a dominant 111-89 blowout win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night (Feb. 22, 2026). This marks their third straight victory in the historic rivalry, completing a season sweep and underscoring just how elite Boston has become.
Sitting at 37-19 (.661), the Celtics hold the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the Detroit Pistons. They’ve won eight of their last nine games, with seven of those victories by double digits. What many expected to be a “bridge” or transition year without Jayson Tatum (still sidelined recovering from last postseason’s Achilles tear) has turned into one of the league’s biggest surprises—and Jaylen Brown is the driving force.
Brown exploded for a game-high 32 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals against the Lakers, pushing his season averages to a career-best 29.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. He’s not just scoring—he’s a true two-way force, locking down defensively, leading vocally, and staying available night after night.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick heaped praise on Brown pre-game: “I don’t think anybody should be surprised at how good of a season Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard are having. Jaylen, in particular. Conference Finals MVP, Finals MVP, carrying it as the No. 1 guy every night. He’s just improved so much year to year. It’s remarkable. I was watching personnel tape yesterday… drive numbers going left versus right. Everyone says he can’t go left, and there are just no holes in his game.”
The respect echoed inside the Celtics locker room too. Payton Pritchard, who dropped 30 points (6 threes) and 8 assists in the win, said: “He’s always been a great leader. But it’s shown more this year because we’ve had a younger group now… guys thinking we’re in a gap year. He’s leading us and doing a hell of a job.”
Brown himself embraced the moment post-game: “I feel like I’m the best two-way player in the world. I play both ends night to night. I’m available, which is hard to do. I’m a leader. I help empower my team to play confidently—stuff that doesn’t always show up on analytics. And I’m a winner. I come out and try to win every single night. So I’m grateful… It’s an honor to play in the Celtics-Lakers rivalry, and for LeBron—the arguably greatest ever—to give me high praise. I wake up every morning grateful, humbled, and put my best foot forward every day.”
Without Tatum (Achilles repair; no firm return timeline despite recent scrimmages), the Celtics were supposed to struggle. Instead, they’ve thrived—top-tier defensively, fluid offensively, and fully in contention mode. Brown has elevated his game to All-NBA levels, Pritchard is emerging as a key piece, and the team is proving doubters wrong.
This isn’t just a win—it’s a statement: The 2025-26 Celtics are legitimate title threats right now, and if/when Tatum returns, they could be unstoppable.
Dub Nation… er, Celtics fans—what do you think? Is Jaylen Brown in the MVP conversation? Can Boston keep this momentum rolling into the playoffs? Drop your takes below!