The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New York Knicks in overtime 129-123. LeBron James defied the outstanding Jalen Brunson with a triple double.
New York Knicks (27-25) – Los Angeles Lakers (24-28) 123:129 (BOXSCORE)
Brunson was the standout player in front of a full house at Madison Square Garden with 37 points on 13/29 from the field and 6 assists, and he almost independently saved the Knicks into overtime. There, the Lakers then hit six of eight throws from the field, including a three by Dennis Schröder, and won the duel.
James recorded his first triple-double of the season with 28 points (11/25 FG), 10 rebounds and 11 assists, moving past Mark Jackson and Steve Nash on the all-time list of most assisted players. There he now occupies 4th place with more than 10,336 assists. Anthony Davis also made a good game with 27 points (9/16 FG) and 9 rebounds, Rui Hachimura (19, 8/12, 9 rebounds) also knew how to please.
Schröder notched 12 points (2/3 3P) and 6 assists, his highlight being a buzzerbeater from the halfway line that saw him turn in Curry-style before the ball wriggled in the net. As if he already knew! Russell Westbrook was no exception to the Lakers’ well-rounded offense with 17 points (7/13 FG), 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals. The guests hit more than 51 percent of their field shots.
On the other side, Isaiah Hartenstein made his best game of the season so far with 16 points (7/10) and 13 rebounds, but coming off the bench in almost 40 minutes he also got into a foul rouble (5). The Lakers had great problems keeping him off their board, Hartenstein grabbed seven times there, he had only managed that in one other game before.
Julius Randle grabbed 12 rebounds and played 5 assists, but his shot wasn’t at its best (23, 6/19 FG). Immanuel Quickly provided good support from the bench with 19 points and 8 assists, but like Hartenstein he also played starter minutes (almost 40) and thus edged out RJ Barrett, who was not having a good day (13, 5/13).
NBA: Brunson with heroic action in the closing stages – Randle forgives game winners
The Lakers got off to a good start, leading by double digits in the first quarter, but that was the highest lead of the entire game. After that, it went back and forth constantly, after 15 lead changes, the Lakers were no longer behind by the end of the third quarter, but their lead was mostly just a razor-thin.
James put up a +6 long three with just under 100 seconds to play, but the Lakers only passively let the clock tick down on their subsequent two attacks, James missed two tightly defended jump shots and the Knicks equalized with three successful drives, the first and last by Brunson.
Brunson continued his exploits when he had five seconds to play in a pick ‘n’ roll between James and Davis pocketed a hard contact with Davis and drew the offensive foulto prevent a potential Lakers game winner and give his team a chance to win in regulation. However, Randle missed Davis without throwing a shot, overtime!
The Lakers won the game there without much drama, also because the Knicks were still ice cold from a distance (0/4). New York’s last three came with 2:29 to play in the third quarter, 19:31 minutes before the final siren! The Knicks hit just 7/34 from downtown.
NBA: Die Stats-Leader bei Knicks vs. Lakers
| Category | Knicks | Lakers |
| Points | Jalen Brunson (37) | LeBron James (28) |
| Rebounds | Isaiah Hartenstein (13) | LeBron James (10) |
| Assists | Immanuel Quickley (8) | LeBron James (11) |
| Steals | Quentin Grimes (2) | Russell Westbrook (3) |
| Blocks | Sims, Brunson, McBride (1) | Anthony Davis (1) |
