Knicks snap 8-game skid with win over Lakers
New York Knicks forward Noah Vonleh, front, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac, right, defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 points, Trey Burke added 16 and the New York Knicks snapped their eight-game losing streak with a 119-112 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.
Emmanuel Mudiay had 15 points and seven rebounds for the Knicks, who blew an early 17-point lead before rallying from a six-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Enes Kanter scored eight of his 16 points down the stretch as the Knicks pulled away, ending their first win since Dec. 14 on an 11-3 run.
The Lakers dropped to 1-4 without LeBron James, who is sidelined with a left groin strain. Los Angeles also played without second-leading scorer Kyle Kuzma, who has a bruised back.
New York capitalized on the Lakers’ injuries to earn just its second win in 15 games.
The Knicks took the lead for good on Kevin Knox’s free throws with 3:45 left, and Kanter came up with two big baskets in the final minute. Seven players scored in double figures for New York, including 10 points in the fourth quarter from Mario Hezonja, who hadn’t played significant minutes in 2 ½ weeks.
Brandon Ingram scored 21 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 19 for the Lakers, who forced only two turnovers in the second half and struggled for consistent offense.
The Knicks rolled early, scoring 39 points in the first quarter and jumping to a 17-point lead early in the second with Hardaway’s offense and strong defense. The Lakers are struggling for offensive cohesiveness without James, as might be expected, but Caldwell-Pope and Lonzo Ball hit three 3-pointers apiece in the first half to keep it close.
TIP-INS
Knicks: Frank Ntilikina played only briefly in the first half before injuring his ankle and sitting out the rest of the game. … Rookie Mitchell Robinson missed his ninth straight game with a sprained left ankle. Coach David Fizdale says they’re being cautious with his recovery.
Lakers: Kuzma was hurt in LA’s loss to Oklahoma City on Wednesday. Kuzma stayed home from Staples Center for this game, but coach Luke Walton is hopeful the forward will feel good enough to participate on their upcoming two-game road trip. … Michael Beasley returned from a 13-game absence and scored six points in his first appearance since Dec. 7. The former Knicks forward has been away frequently during his first season with the Lakers to be with his mother, who died of cancer last month.
UP NEXT
Knicks: At Trail Blazers on Monday.
Lakers: At Timberwolves on Sunday.
