Against a Lakers team missing its star performers, Celtics act up and lose on ‘tough night’.......

 

Derrick White and the Celtics were stopped by Austin Reaves (32 points) and the Lakers, who were missing stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis. 

DANIELLE PARHIZKARAN/GLOBE STAFFWhen Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis were ruled out against the Celtics Thursday, the basketball world collectively sighed because one of the signature rivalries in sports had suddenly lost its sizzle for a night.

But in the Celtics locker room, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday were wary.

“[We] looked at each other like, ‘Phew, it’s going to be a tough one,’ " Porzingis said. “We know these kinds of games are tough. It can go smoothly at the beginning for a team like us. But it can also be a tough night. And tonight was one of those nights that was a tough night.”