The Knicks were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers 128-112 on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Here are some takeaways…
– LeBron James is always locked in when he plays under the bright lights of MSG, and that was again the case in this one. The 20-time All-Star knocked down six of his first nine shots for 13 first-quarter points, while Rui Hachimura contributed 12 points of his own to help LA open an early lead.
– But the Knicks’ high-flying offense was able to keep pace, evening things up at the end of one. OG Anunoby led the way in the scoring department with seven first-quarter points, but it was Josh Hart who was pretty much everywhere as always — racking up six points, six rebounds, and five assists.
– New York was able to take their first lead of the game early in the second when Deuce McBride knocked down three baskets for eight quick points off the bench. Karl-Anthony Towns was finally able to get going after a slow start to the night, adding seven points and three boards in the middle frame.
– But the Lakers’ hot shooting continued, helping them carry the lead heading into the halftime break. LeBron and Hachimura combined for 31 first-half points, Austin Reaves had 10 points of his own, and Dorian Finney-Smith knocked down four threes off the bench. LA shot an impressive 45 percent from behind the arc over the first two quarters.
– The Knicks suffered a massive blow early on in the third quarter when Anunoby went down with a non-contact lower-body injury on a three-point attempt. The two-way star defender immediately made his way back to the locker room and was ruled out shortly after with a right foot sprain.
– The loss of Anunoby quickly sucked the energy out of the Garden and the Lakers were able to open up their largest lead of the night. Reaves knocked down three more threes en route to 13 third-quarter points, bringing his total to 23 on 7-of-12 shooting from the field.
– As has been the case all season, Hart provided the spark when they needed it the most. Five straight points at the end of the quarter, including a buzzer-beater three, helped him secure his seventh triple-double of the season and brought the Knicks back within two heading into the final frame.
– Hart attempted to bring the Knicks storming back again after the Lakers opened the fourth on a 14-4 run, but the deficit ultimately proved to be too much. LeBron dominated to close things out, finishing with his 10th triple-double of the season (33 points, 11 rebounds, 12 assists).
– Los Angeles did a terrific job on Towns and Jalen Brunson all night on the defensive end, completely shutting them down. The dynamic duo combined for just 26 points on 10-of-30 shooting from the field, and the usually dominant Towns reeled in just six rebounds — even with star big man Anthony Davis sidelined.
Hart led the way for New York with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists — while both Miles McBride and Precious Achiwua gave the Knicks solid minutes off the bench. McBride knocked down three threes en route to 12 points, while Achiwua contributed a 15-point and 15-rebound double-double.
Game MVP: LeBron James
LeBron loves playing at MSG and that was again the case tonight, as he recorded a dominant triple-double.
Highlights
What’s next
The Knicks close out the homestand with a meeting with the Houston Rockets on Monday at 7:30 p.m.
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