The Lakers take on the Knicks in a prime matchup
Lakers (29-18) vs. Knicks (30-18) | Game 49 of 82
WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME
Date: Sunday, Feb. 1
Tip-off: 4 p.m. PST
Location: Madison Square Garden — New York, N.Y.
TV: Telemundo, NBC, Peacock
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
GAME PREVIEW
The Lakers continue the final stretch of their longest road trip of the season Sunday afternoon with a marquee prime-time matchup against the red-hot New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Los Angeles enters the contest riding momentum after a dominant 142–111 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday, improving to 29-18 on the season and 4-2 on the road trip. The performance served as a strong response following Wednesday’s blowout loss in Cleveland.
Luka Dončić led the way in Washington with 37 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds, recording his triple-double by halftime, becoming the only player in Lakers history to do so. The Lakers shot 61% from the field and tallied a season-high 38 assists in one of their most complete offensive performances of the season.
Deandre Ayton added 28 points on 12-of-14 shooting with 13 rebounds, while LeBron James contributed a series of highlight finishes as L.A dominated the paint and controlled the tempo throughout the night.
We can still see Austin Reaves make his return to the lineup after a 17-game absence, as coach JJ Redick said he'd make his return in the road trip.
Sunday’s matchup presents a challenge, as the Lakers face one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams and another team above .500. The Lakers — who sit sixth in the West at 29-18 — are 9-10 against teams above .500 while having a 17-10 road record this season.
KNICKS
New York enters Sunday’s contest second in the Eastern Conference at 30-18 and riding a five-game winning streak. The Knicks have leaned heavily on Jalen Brunson, who has led the team in scoring in four of those five wins, continuing his All-NBA-caliber season at 27.6 ppg.
Brunson remains the engine of New York’s offense, but Karl-Anthony Towns has been a solid second option with a 20 ppg and 12 rpg average each night.
The Knicks will be without their lethal sixth man and top sniper in Miles McBride. He leads the team at 43% shooting from 3 and 13 points off the bench. So look for former Laker Jordan Clarkson, who averaged 9.3 ppg, to have a more expanded scoring role off the bench in the Garden
NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA
The Knicks have the 3rd-rated offense (118.9) and 12th-rated defense (113.6) in the NBA. Here are their notable rankings this season:
New York currently sits:
8th in points per game (117.7)
15th in FG% (47.0%)
3rd in 3P% (37.8%)
4th in 3PM a game (15)
3rd in 3P% (37.8%)
2nd in REB (46.4)
3rd in OREB (13.6)
INJURY REPORT
Lakers:
Bronny James (lower left leg soreness): Out
Austin Reaves (left calf strain): Questionable
Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain): Out
Knicks:
Miles McBride (ankle): Out
THREADS FOR THE GAME
The Lakers will wear their purple Statement Edition uniforms, while the Knicks will wear their City Edition uniforms at Madison Square Garden.
NEXT MATCHUP
The Lakers will conclude their eight-game road trip Tuesday night in Brooklyn against the Nets before returning to L.A.
Category: General Sports
