NBA: LeBron, Lakers pull away to end Knicks’ nine-game streak
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Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (23) shoots over New York Knicks’ Precious Achiuwa (5) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024, in New York. The Lakers won 113-105.(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
NEW YORK — LeBron James scored 24 points and the Los Angeles Lakers pulled away down the stretch to beat New York 113-105 Saturday night, snapping the Knicks’ nine-game winning streak in the NBA.
Austin Reaves had 22 points, D’Angelo Russell and Taurean Prince each scored 16, and Anthony Davis finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds as the Lakers won their second straight to move above .500 (26-25).
Jalen Brunson scored 36 points to lead New York (32-18), and Donte DiVincenzo had 26 before fouling out. Josh Hart had 12 points and 11 rebounds, and Precious Achiuwa added 10 points.
LeBron in the clutch at MSG… NOTHING BUT NET 👑🗽 pic.twitter.com/M7HiuSQTlX
— NBA (@NBA) February 4, 2024
The game was tight throughout and the Knicks led 86-80 after three quarters, but the Lakers scored the first seven points of the fourth to go ahead. It went back-and-forth with New York taking it’s last lead at 96-94 on DiVencenzo’s 3-pointer with 7:25 remaining.
Prince’s three-point play 19 seconds later started Los Angeles’ game-clinching 11-0 run as he and Reaves combined to score 16 of Los Angeles’ first 20 points of the fourth quarter.
⏯️ Blocked by AD (2x) pic.twitter.com/hAZUWo62Go
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 4, 2024
DiVincenzo’s pull-up jumper with 39.1 seconds left cut the deficit to 105-98. It also ended New York’s nearly seven-minute scoreless streak.
Reaves sandwiched four free throws around a Brunson layup to push the Lakers’ lead to 109-100. After Brunson converted a three-point play with 11.2 seconds remaining to slice the lead to six, Davis knocked down four free throws around a layup by Brunson in the final seconds to close it out.
James, playing his 32nd career game at Madison Square Garden, was cheered when he came out for pregame warmups, and his two-handed dunk off of a Russell feed 3:12 into the game drew oohs and aahs.
NEXT SCHEDULE
Lakers: At Charlotte on Monday night.
Knicks: Host Memphis on Tuesday night.
