Lakers stifle Knicks 110-97 as Doncic, Reaves step up with LeBron sidelined
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The Los Angeles Lakers overcame the late absence of LeBron James to defeat the New York Knicks 110-97 on Sunday night at Crypto.com Arena.
James was ruled out shortly before tipoff because of a left elbow contusion and arthritis in his left foot. Without the 20-time All-Star, Los Angeles leaned on Luka Doncic’s 35 points and Austin Reaves’ 25 to hand New York just its 24th loss of the season.
Defense keys victory
Head coach JJ Redick’s lineup limited the NBA’s No. 3 offense to 42.7% shooting and forced 19 turnovers, holding the Knicks 20 points below their season average. “We definitely need to be a better defensive team, and I think we’re showing that we can do it,” Doncic said.
Redick pointed to multiple charges drawn by Doncic, Reaves and Marcus Smart as evidence of the team’s commitment. “That’s a sacrificial play,” the coach noted. “Our guys have been motivated to do that all year.”
Offensive punch without LeBron
Doncic added eight rebounds and two steals, while Reaves contributed five assists and three steals in just his third 20-point game since returning from a left calf strain last month. “I don’t feel like I’ve played bad; I just haven’t made a lot of shots,” Reaves said. “Tonight I told myself to have fun.”
Sunday’s result moved the Lakers to 9-2 this season when Doncic and Reaves share the floor without James. “Playing with him makes my life easy,” Doncic said of Reaves.
Rare win against elite competition
Los Angeles entered the night 4-12 against opponents with a .600 winning percentage or higher. The Knicks arrived at 41-24 after a 142-103 rout of the Denver Nuggets on Friday but never led in Los Angeles. Rui Hachimura, starting in James’ place, scored 13 points and called the game “a great team win.”
The Lakers, now 15-9 over their last 24 contests, face a challenging stretch with four of their next five games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets (twice). “I’m not in a position where I can overreact,” Redick said. “We’re a top-10 offense and a top-15 defense— that’s what we wanted to be coming into the season with this group, and that’s where our group is right now.”
Source: ESPN
