The red-hot Los Angeles Lakers (40-21) rallied from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit and extended their win streak to eight games with a 113-109 overtime victory against the New York Knicks (40-22) on March 7.
Los Angeles Lakers Top Performers:
Luka Doncic 32 PTS | 7 REB | 12 AST | 65.4 FPS
Doncic now ranks fifth in NBA history for the most games with 30+ points and 10+ assists. He’s been playing through a knee contusion but has still managed to score around 30 points in each of his last four games. Though he had a slow start after joining the team, he has picked up his play and emerged as a strong triple-double threat lately. But despite his scoring outbursts, his efficiency across all shooting areas has been a weakness, and he’s been averaging five turnovers per game. Still, Doncic has the talent to improve in those areas.
LeBron James 31 PTS | 12 REB | 8 AST | 59.4 FPS
James continues his dominant form, scoring around 30 points in five of his last six games. He has been highly efficient from the field since the break and has recently improved his free-throw shooting, though his three-point shot remains inconsistent. His rebounding and defense have been steady, and he’s also made strides as a facilitator, posting strong numbers in assists while recording just one turnover today after averaging five over his last five games.
Jaxson Hayes 8 PTS | 5 REB | 2 BLK | 22.5 FPS
Hayes has been efficient on offense in recent weeks and even delivered a perfect 8-for-8 performance in his last game. However, his scoring output remains limited due to his low usage. Still, he remains a good option for rebounds and blocks.
Jarred Vanderbilt 2 PTS | 5 REB | 2 STL | 17.0 FPS
Vando has emerged as a double-double threat and a strong shot-blocker over his last two games. Although he couldn’t maintain that level of performance today, his defensive impact remains evident.
Dalton Knecht 11 PTS | 3-7 3PT | 4 REB | 16.3 FPS
Knecht has been a key contributor off the bench lately, scoring in double digits while providing solid value from three-point range and rebounding in four straight games. He’ll likely maintain his production, but he’ll need to improve further to be a viable rostering option.
New York Knicks Top Performers:
Jalen Brunson 39 PTS | 12-13 FT | 10 AST | 55.8 FPS
Brunson has been on a roll since the break, scoring at least 22 points in eight straight games. He’s been efficient despite his heavy usage, shooting 50% or better in his last three games while thriving at the line and maintaining his solid all-around play at the same time. However, he injured his ankle in today’s game and could miss the next few games.
Josh Hart 18 PTS | 10 REB | 4 STL | 42.0 FPS
Hart’s overall production has taken a noticeable downturn lately, scoring under 15 points in his previous four games, grabbing eight or fewer rebounds in three games, and averaging just one stock in that span. He had a much better performance today but he continues to struggle with his outside and free-throw shooting. His performance suggests that a recent knee injury is still impacting his performance, and his consistently heavy workload isn’t helping.
Karl-Anthony Towns 12 PTS | 14 REB | 1 STL | 31.3 FPS
KAT’s production in multiple areas has seen a considerable drop lately. His struggles on offense are undeniable as well, scoring under 20 points in his last three games. He continues to struggle with foul trouble too, but he’s expected to bounce back tomorrow as the team’s primary option.
OG Anunoby 20 PTS | 4 REB | 1 BLK | 27.3 FPS
OG is playing through a thumb injury that could potentially affect his shooting, though he has scored 20+ points in three straight games. His three-point shooting has been an issue this season, but he has shown improvement, making four threes over his last four games. However, his struggles at the free-throw line persist. Despite this, he continues to contribute across multiple categories and can occasionally put up strong numbers.
Mikal Bridges 6 PTS | 3 AST | 3 STL | 22.1 FPS
Bridges plays a significant role on the team and consistently plays heavy minutes, but hasn’t made much of an impact in the past weeks. His scoring has also been up-and-down lately, and his outside shooting remains a major weakness.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Austin Reaves 8 PTS | 2-13 FG | 1-7 3PT
Reaves missed their last two games with a calf injury and showed plenty of rust, struggling with his shot and contributing little in other areas. He has been a reliable third option for the team in recent weeks, but he’s still working to regain his rhythm and will be facing the Celtics next.
