Lakers Defeat Knicks in OT Thriller for 8th Straight Win

The Los Angeles Lakers won their eighth consecutive game with a thrilling 113-109 overtime victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday night. 

The Lakers were down by eight after three quarters but defense and timely shots allowed them to send the game into overtime, where Jalen Brunson’s exit with a foot injury limited the Knicks down the stretch. 

Perimeter shots were afforded to the Lakers with the Knick defense collapsing on Jaxson Hayes, freeing up with the likes of Austin Reaves and Gabe Vincent for looks. Luka Doncic was big time, putting up 32 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds (9-for-23, 4-for-12), while LeBron James had an excellent game himself with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists (11-for-23). Vincent was 4-for-4 from downtown for 12 points, and Dalton Knecht scored 11 with three made triples. 

Brunson’s 39 points and 10 assists (13-for-26) led the Knicks, as he maneuvered nicely into the paint and the mid-range. OG Anunoby was 7-for-18 for 20 points, while Josh Hart contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds. Karl-Anthony Towns struggled going 3-for-13 with 12 points but did have 14 rebounds. 

The Lakers made 14 triples to the Knicks’ 10, and shot 43 percent to the Knicks’ 39 percent.

At 40-21, the Lakers are rolling, and are 12-2 since acquiring Doncic. The luxury of having two of the game’s best playmakers who can play off of each other cannot be overstated. The Lakers hold a half game lead on the Nuggets for second in the conference, while the 40-22 Knicks are third in the eastern conference.