Lakers Legend Ron Harper Reacts After Celtics’ Playoff Elimination

David Butler II-Imagn Images

Lakers Legend Ron Harper Reacts After Celtics’ Playoff Elimination

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated May 3, 2026 8:10 AM ET

Los Angeles Lakers fans watched Saturday night as their oldest and most bitter rivals, the Boston Celtics, were sent home in the first round of the playoffs. The second-seeded Celtics made their earliest exit since the 2020-21 season, falling 109-100 in Game 7 at TD Garden to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Without Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown led Boston with 33 points and nine rebounds, while Derrick White chipped in 26, including five three-pointers, but it wasn’t enough.

Boston’s three-point shooting was perhaps their biggest undoing. The Celtics shot 13-of-49 from three in Game 7, continuing a pattern that had plagued them through the final stretch of the series. Down by a slim margin with the game on the line, the Celtics kept pulling up from range instead of attacking the paint and they kept missing.

Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla watches from the sideline as they take on the Philadelphia 76ers.David Butler II-Imagn Images

Boston’s poor decision-making down the stretch caught the attention of five-time NBA champion Ron Harper. The former Los Angeles Lakers guard took to X, seeking clarity on the Celtics’ playstyle.

“I love basketball can someone explain to me the last 5 mins of @celtics and @76ers game? Boston down by 1 & 3 and keep shooting 3s…. Please help me.”

I love basketball can someone explain to me the last 5 mins of @celtics and @76ers game? Boston down by 1 & 3 and keep shooting 3s…. Please help me.
— Ron Harper (@HARPER04_5) May 3, 2026

A two-time champion with the Lakers, Harper also had to endure watching his son, Ron Harper Jr., log just four minutes in Game 7. The fourth-year guard struggled to make a mark off the bench, missing his only shot attempt of the night, a three-point shot. Overall, he averaged 1.8 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.5 steals in his first-ever playoff appearance.

While Boston exited the playoffs prematurely, Harper’s former team booked a spot in the second round. The Lakers will face the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Game 1 tipping off Tuesday at Paycom Center.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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