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Matt Levine works as a contributing writer for Newsweek based in California. His expertise is in covering the NBA but he also covers multiple other sports. He has been with Newsweek since 2024. He graduated in 2021 with a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from Louisiana State University. You can get in touch with him by emailing m.levine@newsweek.com and you can find him on X at @Levine1445.
Contributing Sports Writer
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics renew their long, historic rivalry tonight for the second time this season. Los Angeles took the first game between the two teams so Boston will be looking for some revenge.
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The scene shifts over to the TD Garden in Boston, giving the Celtics a slight advantage entering the game. Both sides would love nothing more than to make a statement in this highly-anticipated matchup.
But entering this game, the two stars of the Lakers have landed on the injury report. Both LeBron James and Luka Doncic have some issues that they have been dealing with.
However, despite both being listed as probable entering the contest, both James and Doncic will play against Boston.
Luka Doncic (knee) available to play Saturday.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) March 9, 2025
LeBron James (injury management) available to play Saturday.
— Underdog NBA (@Underdog__NBA) March 9, 2025
Los Angeles is going to need both players to be on the court and playing at a high level to take down the Celtics. Boston remains one of the best teams in the entire NBA and they have gotten relatively healthy after an injury-filled week.
Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are off the injury report for this game, giving themselves the green light for this rivalry game. Boston will not be getting center Kristaps Porzingis back for this contest even though he revealed a different injury status on Friday.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
This game should have plenty of firepower to it as the teams look to provide an entertaining contest. Whenever the Lakers and Celtics get together, sparks tend to fly, no matter if the teams are good or not.
But for the first time since 2009, both the Lakers and Celtics are in the top-two of their respective conferences entering the game. This should add some extra juice to this matchup and hopefully give fans the matchup they are expecting.
This could be a potential NBA Finals preview, something that the majority of fans would love to see. But for now, each side will be looking to grab this win as they both are positioning themselves for the postseason run.
More NBA news:
Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving Slams Minutes Narrative Leading to ACL Injury
Mavericks’ Star Kyrie Irving Out for Season After Suffering Torn ACL
Mavericks Star Anthony Davis Could Now Miss Rest of Season Following Kyrie Irving Injury
Stephen A Smith Fires Back at Charles Barkley Following Heated ESPN Comments
For more NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.
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About the writer
Matt Levine works as a contributing writer for Newsweek based in California. His expertise is in covering the NBA but he also covers multiple other sports. He has been with Newsweek since 2024. He graduated in 2021 with a Master of Science degree in Sport Management from Louisiana State University. You can get in touch with him by emailing m.levine@newsweek.com and you can find him on X at @Levine1445.
Matt Levine works as a contributing writer for Newsweek based in California. His expertise is in covering the NBA but …
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