The rivalry between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics is one of the most storied and intense in all of sports. It’s a rivalry that has stood the test of time, dating back to the days of Bill Russell and the original Lakers team in Minneapolis. And according to Celtics’ guard Jaylen Brown, that rivalry is still alive and well, even in the regular season.

In a recent interview, Brown spoke about the intense atmosphere that surrounded the recent matchup between the Lakers and the Celtics. He stated that the game felt like a playoff game, with both teams playing with a high level of intensity and passion.

This is not surprising given the history between these two teams. The Lakers and Celtics have faced each other in the NBA Finals a record 12 times, with the Celtics holding a slight edge with nine wins. And even when they are not facing each other in the Finals, their regular-season matchups are always highly anticipated and fiercely competitive.

The Lakers and Celtics have always been at the forefront of the NBA, with both teams boasting some of the greatest players in the history of the game. From Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, these teams have produced some of the most iconic moments in basketball history.

But it’s not just the star power that makes this rivalry so special. It’s the deep-rooted animosity between the two franchises that adds another layer of intensity to every game. The Lakers represent the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, while the Celtics embody the blue-collar grit of Boston. It’s a clash of cultures that has been ingrained in the DNA of both teams since their inception.

And while the players may change over the years, the rivalry remains the same. The current Lakers team, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, is looking to add to the franchise’s 17 championship titles. On the other side, the Celtics, led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, are looking to bring the Larry O’Brien trophy back to Boston for the first time since 2008.

But it’s not just about the players on the court. The fans of both teams are equally passionate and vocal, adding to the electric atmosphere whenever these two teams meet. And it’s not just limited to the NBA, as the rivalry extends to other sports as well, with the Lakers and the Celtics representing the cities of Los Angeles and Boston in various professional leagues.

In the end, it’s this intense rivalry that continues to fuel both teams and adds to the excitement of every matchup. As Jaylen Brown said, it’s like a playoff atmosphere, even in the regular season. And that’s what makes the Lakers-Celtics rivalry so special and enduring. It’s a rivalry that has stood the test of time and will continue to do so for generations to come.

So, as the Lakers and Celtics gear up for another potential Finals showdown, let’s sit back and enjoy the intense and storied rivalry between these two historic franchises. Because no matter who comes out on top, one thing is for sure, the Lakers and Celtics just don’t like each other, and that’s what makes this rivalry so special.