One of the most eagerly awaited games of the NBA season will take place on Saturday night on ABC, as the surging Los Angeles Lakers—winners of eight consecutive games and 14 of their last 16—head to TD Garden to take on the reigning champion Boston Celtics. This matchup adds another chapter to the league’s most iconic rivalry, featuring 26-year-old superstar Luka Doncic facing the Celtics for the first time as a Laker. Ahead of this much-anticipated clash, the NBA made a historic announcement regarding the game. It will be the first meeting between the Lakers and Celtics beyond the 50-game mark of a season, with both teams ranked in the top two of their respective conferences, since 1985. The @Lakers and @Celtics will rekindle their legendary rivalry tonight at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

For the first time since 1985, Boston and Los Angeles will square off more than 50 games into a season while each ranks among the top two in its conference.

The NBA also spotlighted “five reasons to watch” this game, emphasizing that the Lakers and Celtics have battled since 1948 and hold the record for the most NBA Finals matchups, having faced off 12 times. Together, the two franchises have won 35 championships. As the season nears its final 20-game stretch, both teams are in peak form. The Lakers have claimed victory in 20 of their last 24 matchups, while the Celtics have secured 13 wins in their last 16 contests. With both teams playing at a high level, something will have to give in Boston on Saturday night. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Celtics are currently 7.5-point favorites. Both teams also have key players listed on the injury report. The Lakers will be without Rui Hachimura, while Jaxon Hayes is questionable, and LeBron James and Luka Doncic are probable.

As for the Celtics, Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and Sam Hauser all enter the game with uncertain playing statuses.