Knicks Defeat Lakers 112–100 Behind Strong Collective Performance

The New York Knicks secured a convincing 112–100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in a matchup defined by collective execution, perimeter efficiency, and defensive discipline in the closing minutes.

New York relied on balanced offensive production and consistent rebounding to control the game, especially late, while the Lakers struggled to match that efficiency from beyond the arc.

Knicks’ Balanced Attack Makes the Difference

OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 25 points, shooting 9-of-15 from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point range, while also contributing eight rebounds and three steals. His two-way impact set the tone for New York.

Landry Shamet delivered one of his most efficient performances of the season, scoring 23 points on 8-of-13 shooting, including 6-of-10 from deep. Josh Hart added 20 points and four rebounds, providing energy and physicality on both ends of the floor.

Karl-Anthony Towns controlled the glass with 11 points and 13 rebounds, helping the Knicks finish with a 46–36 rebounding advantage.

Lakers Lean on Stars but Lack Efficiency

For Los Angeles, Luka Dončić once again carried a heavy load, finishing with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists. Despite the near triple-double, he shot 10-of-23 from the field and lacked consistent support in key stretches.

LeBron James contributed 22 points on an efficient 9-of-15 shooting night, while Deandre Ayton added 13 points and five rebounds. However, the Lakers’ offense stalled when perimeter shots failed to fall.

Key Numbers Tell the Story

The Knicks shot 47.3% from the field and an impressive 42.9% from three-point range (18-of-42). The Lakers, meanwhile, hit just 28.6% of their three-point attempts (12-of-42), a gap that proved decisive.

Turnovers favored New York as well, with the Knicks committing only seven compared to the Lakers’ 10, further limiting Los Angeles’ opportunities to swing momentum.

Context and Takeaways

New York’s ability to spread scoring across multiple players made defensive adjustments difficult for the Lakers. With several Knicks scoring 20 or more points, Los Angeles struggled to contain the perimeter while also protecting the paint.

Despite strong individual performances from Dončić and LeBron, the Lakers were unable to convert shot volume into timely efficiency, particularly from long range.

Absences and Notes

Austin Reaves did not dress for the game due to injury or illness. The Lakers’ bench provided limited impact, and some rotation players saw restricted minutes during critical stretches.

What’s Next

The Knicks gain confidence from another strong team-oriented performance, while the Lakers will need to address three-point efficiency and interior defense as they continue their regular-season schedule.