The Spurs are 4-1 over the last five games and advancing in the NBA Cup after a win over the Lakers. Since losing Victor Wembanyama for 12 games, the Spurs have gone 9-3 compared to 7-4 with him. San Antonio boasts the seventh-best offensive rating over the last 12 games, but ranks 22nd in defensive rating without their franchise player.

The Celtics will be finishing out a tough five games in seven nights stretch on Friday but will do so against a shorthanded Lakers squad. Luka Doncic (personal) and Marcus Smart (back) were declared out for the matchup this afternoon. Smart has not played since Nov. 25 due to the injury.

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to take on the Boston Celtics, the team is preparing to play without LeBron James.

Jaylen Brown had 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists and the Boston Celtics cruised past Los Angeles 126-105 on Friday night, with the Lakers playing without LeBron James and Luka Doncic.

A classic NBA rivalry is renewed when the Boston Celtics host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, Dec. 5 at TD Garden.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James seems like a long shot to play in Friday's game against the Boston Celtics.

Austin Reaves finishes with 36 points, but the Lakers can't overcome the absences of Luka Doncic and LeBron James in a 126-105 loss to the Boston Celtics.

BOSTON — The Celtics dominated the Lakers 126-105 on Friday at TD Garden, overwhelming the shorthanded visitors. The C’s won their fourth straight game to improve to 14-9. The Lakers dropped to 16-6 in a crowded West standings.

The Celtics had no trouble dispatching the shorthanded Lakers on Friday, winning 126-105 for their fourth straight victory.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Bronny James played the final seven minutes of his team's 126-105 road loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday evening.

The New Orleans Pelicans could move Zion Williamson, and the Lakers, Celtics and Pistons all have the pieces to take a swing on him.