Luka Dončić and LeBron James lead LA Lakers to thrilling OT win over New York Knicks, extend win streak
Hours after the last time the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks met, one of the most shocking trades in NBA history went down as LA acquired superstar Luka Dončić in a three-team deal that shook the league.
On Thursday, the two teams faced each other again, this time at Crypto.com Arena in the City of Angels as Dončić played the hero in the Lakers’ 113-109 overtime win over the Knicks.
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Down double digits in the fourth quarter, the Lakers completed the comeback behind some Dončić and LeBron James magic to force OT.
While Los Angeles jumped out to an early lead in the extra period, Knicks All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson put his team on his back, becoming the centerpiece of the team’s stingy offense.
However, with just over the minute left, Brunson drove to the basket and was fouled by Lakers guard Austin Reaves. The 28-year-old remained on the ground, writhing in pain as replays showed he twisted his ankle on the play.
Brunson stayed in the game to shoot the ensuing free throws but slowly limped to the locker room afterwards and would not return. He scored all eight of the Knicks’ points in overtime up to that point, finishing with 39 points and 10 assists.
After Brunson’s departure, the Lakers would hit six free throws – with James hitting four in the final 40 seconds – to secure the team’s eight straight victory and improve their record to 40-21 on the season.
Dončić finished with 32 points, 12 assists, seven rebounds and four steals, while James contributed 31 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.
The Slovenian star told the TNT broadcast after the game that it took “a lot” to take down the Knicks.
“They’re a great team,” Dončić said. “They have great players and it’s a tough win. Now, we got eight in a row and every game is a battle for us.”
The loss was the Knicks’ second straight as they fall to 40-22 on the season. New York will likely rue its performance on the night as it had multiple chances to win the showdown between two of the better teams in the league.
The Knicks controlled the game, behind timely offense and defense. However, a 10-1 Lakers run in the fourth led to the brakes falling off completely.
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After Los Angeles took the lead for the first time since the second quarter, Brunson did what he did all season: thrive in the clutch.
The two-time All-Star tied the game back up with an and-1 with 46 seconds to go in regulation.
After a defensive stop, the Knicks had a golden chance to escape with a victory but forward Josh Hart failed to get a would-be game-winner off before time expired.
New York head coach Tom Thibodeau had no update on Brunson’s injury but was complimentary of his teams effort, calling it a “hard fought game.”
“Came down to the stretch,” Thibodeau told reporters. “Lot of tough plays that – we couldn’t get to a loose ball, things like that. Often times, that’s the difference. Overall, I thought the first three-and-a-half quarters was very, very good. So, obviously, we have to close out better.”
The Knicks will play the second half of a back-to-back on Friday as they visit the Intuit Dome to take on the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers begin a four-game road trip in Boston as they take on their long-time rival Celtics on Saturday night.
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Knicks guard Jalen Brunson expected to miss time after suffering ankle injury in OT loss to Lakers
Knicks All-Star rolls right ankle with 1:24 remaining in overtime and heads to locker room after making both free throws.
Joe Reedy | The Associated Press
Knicks All-Star rolls right ankle, hits free throws and heads to locker room late in overtime Thursday.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — New York star guard Jalen Brunson could miss an extended period of time after suffering an ankle injury during overtime in the Knicks’ 113-109 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
Coach Tom Thibodeau said after the game that Brunson was still being examined by the medical staff.
“It’s a bummer of an injury. We expect him to be out for a little bit,” forward Josh Hart said.
Brunson — who is seventh in the league in scoring (26.3 points per game) and eighth in assists (7.4 per game) — rolled his right ankle with 1:24 remaining in overtime after landing on the foot of Lakers guard Austin Reaves after being fouled on a drive to the basket. Brunson got help up from teammates and stayed in the game to make both free throws and tie it at 107. He then came out and went to the locker room.
Brunson led the Knicks with 39 points and 10 assists. He sent the game into overtime with a three-point play after the Lakers rallied from a double-digit deficit midway through the fourth quarter.
“His mental toughness is through the roof. It doesn’t surprise me the way he played the whole game. He still keeps battling and battling,” Thibodeau said about Brunson, who was 13 of 26 from the field and made 12 of his 13 foul shots.
Brunson’s injury could not come at a worse time for the Knicks. The loss to the Lakers began a five-game West Coast trip.
New York — which is 40-22 and in third place in the Eastern Conference — remains in Southern California to face the Clippers on Friday night before facing Sacramento on Monday night, Portland on Wednesday night and Golden State on March 15.
“It’s next man up. He’s a huge part of our team. We’ve been playing with grit and have to go out there and do it again,” center Karl-Anthony Towns said.
The stars in Sacramento and New York take home the honors for Week 19.
New York drops to 0-5 against the East’s top two teams, the Celtics and Cavaliers, as they aim for a deep playoff run.
Nikola Jokić moves ahead of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at the top of an MVP Ladder filled with changes.
Cleveland is back in the lead as the rest of the league begins the process of slotting into postseason spots.
After spearheading the Kings’ most successful season in nearly 2 decades, De’Aaron Fox returns to Sacramento as the Spurs’ lead guard.
The Timberwolves visit the Heat in search of a 4th straight win on Friday night.
Warriors All-Star draws raves on the road in Brooklyn after 2nd-quarter outburst culminates in stunning shot at halftime buzzer.
In addition to the Magic Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Howard will be honored that night during Orlando’s game vs. L.A. Lakers.
Stay in the know on tonight’s NBA action as we keep you updated with the latest news and happenings around the league.
A handful of players who were traded in February are already impacting playoff races in both conferences.
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Knicks vs. Lakers odds, line, prediction, start time: 2025 NBA picks, March 6 best bets from proven model
The Los Angeles Lakers look to extend their winning streak to eight games when they take on the New York Knicks in a key interconference matchup on Thursday night. New York is coming off a 114-102 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, while Los Angeles defeated New Orleans 136-115 that same night. The Knicks (40-21), who have won three of their last four games, are 19-10 on the road, which is the fourth-best NBA record in away games. The Lakers (39-21), the second seed in the West, are 24-7 on their home floor, which is the third-best home record in the league. OG Anunoby (thumb) and Mitchell Robinson (ankle) are questionable for New York.
Tip-off from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles is set for 10 p.m. ET. These teams have split their season series in each of the last four years, and L.A. won their first meeting this season, 128-112, on Feb. 1. The Lakers are 2.5-point favorites in the latest Knicks vs. Lakers odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 230.5. L.A. is at -144 on the money line (risk $144 to win $100), with New York at +121 (risk $100 to win $121). Before making any Lakers vs. Knicks picks, make sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six-plus seasons. The model enters Week 20 of the 2024-25 NBA season on a sizzling 147-107 roll on all top-rated NBA picks dating back to last season, returning nearly $4,000. It’s also an outstanding 18-10 (64%) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Now, the model has simulated Knicks vs. Lakers 10,000 times and just revealed its coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Lakers vs. Knicks:
LeBron James has been dominant of late, posting three double-doubles over the past five games. In a 111-102 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Feb. 27, he scored 33 points, while adding 17 rebounds and six assists. He is coming off a 34-point, eight-rebound and six-assist effort in Tuesday’s win over the Pelicans. In 56 games, all starts, he is averaging 24.9 points, 8.5 assists and 8.0 rebounds in 34.7 minutes.
Luka Doncic has posted five double-doubles and one triple-double in nine games with the Lakers, since being acquired on Feb. 1 from the Dallas Mavericks. He is coming off a 30-point, 15-assist and eight-rebound effort on Tuesday. In 31 games this season, all starts, he is averaging 26.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.9 steals in 34.6 minutes. See which team to back at SportsLine.
Jalen Brunson helps power the New York offense. In 60 games, all starts, he is averaging 26.1 points, 7.4 assists, three rebounds and one steal in 35.4 minutes. He is connecting on 49% of his field goals, including 38.8% from 3-point range, and 82.2% of his free throws. In a 110-105 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 26, he poured in 34 points, while adding seven assists and three rebounds.
Mikal Bridges is one of five Knicks averaging double-digit scoring. In 61 games, all starts, he is averaging 17.4 points, 3.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds in 37.7 minutes. He scored 15 points, while adding four rebounds and four assists in Tuesday’s loss to Golden State. He poured in 28 points, while adding three assists, two rebounds and two steals in the win over Philadelphia on Feb. 26. See which team to back at SportsLine.
SportsLine’s model has simulated Knicks vs. Lakers and is leaning Under the total, projecting 225 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread cashes in 60% of simulations. You can head to SportsLine to see the model’s NBA picks.
So who wins Lakers vs. Knicks on Thursday, and which side of the spread hits in 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Knicks vs. Lakers spread to back, all from the model that has returned well over $10,000 on top-rated NBA picks, and find out.
Here are some of the sportsbooks to bet on NBA games today, along with the various NBA sportsbook promos they currently offer.
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