Without the two stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Los Angeles Lakers looked like sacrificial victims entering the parquet of the almost impregnable TD Garden of the Boston Celtics, the best team of the season.
Instead, the workers' Lakers overturned the prediction, going on to win 114-105).
Los Angeles made the difference with long-range shots (19 of 36), like Austin Reaves, who scored 32 points (7 of 10 three-pointers).
This success allows the Lakers to balance their record (25 wins in 50 games) and consolidate ninth place in the West, while Boston remains leader in the East.
Hit in the left knee on Tuesday after suffering contact from Jonathan Kuminga against the Warriors, Joel Embiid has a meniscus problem, the Sixers said after an MRI.
The 2023 MVP will miss at least the next two games while awaiting treatment.
If his absence continues, the blow would be hard for the 76ers, fifth in the Eastern Conference, for whom Embiid scores on average more than 35 points per game.
Without him, the 76ers still won on the Utah Jazz (127-124) and were able to count on new All-Star Tyrese Maxey, exceptional with 51 points, his record.
New York Knicks leader Jalen Brunson celebrated the news of his first All-Star Game selection with 40 points and decisive plays at the end of the game against the Indiana Pacers (109-105).
The Knicks thus collect their ninth consecutive success and are close to second place in the Eastern Conference occupied by Milwaukee.
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