Sunday afternoon at Crypto.com Arena saw the Los Angeles Lakers deliver one of their most complete performances of the season, dispatching the New York Knicks 110-97 in a game that showcased both the star power and defensive grit of JJ Redick’s squad. With LeBron James sidelined for the second straight contest due to a bruised left elbow and ongoing issues with his left foot, the Lakers were forced to lean on their other marquee names—and boy, did they answer the call.
Luka Doncic, the NBA’s leading scorer, put on a show for the home crowd, pouring in 35 points on 11-of-25 shooting, including five made three-pointers out of sixteen attempts. He also grabbed eight rebounds, dished out four assists, and swiped two steals in his 38 minutes on the floor. While Doncic’s long-range shooting was a bit streaky—missing 11 threes, more than any other player even attempted—his offensive brilliance was undeniable. "It's just great being his teammate," Doncic said of Austin Reaves, his backcourt partner. "Obviously, he needs to be aggressive like this, but just playing with him is so easy because he draws so much attention, helps others too. So, just playing with him, it makes my life easy."
Reaves, for his part, turned in one of his best games since returning from a left calf strain in early February. He scored 25 points, added five assists, and collected three steals, a testament to his increasing confidence and aggression. "When I got here ... just told myself to have fun," Reaves shared after the game. "I don't feel like I've played bad [recently]. I just haven't made a lot of shots, and I feel like I've done a lot of other things well."
The Lakers raced to a 31-23 lead after the first quarter, with Reaves and Doncic both connecting from deep. Rui Hachimura, starting in place of James, chipped in 13 points and was instrumental in keeping the offense flowing. Deandre Ayton made his presence felt early with a pair of blocks and a lob finish from Doncic, helping L.A. establish control. Luke Kennard also made his mark, hitting a crucial 3-pointer with 1:37 left in the game that helped seal the outcome.
Despite the comfortable margin for much of the night, the Lakers’ win was anything but a cakewalk. The Knicks, led by Karl-Anthony Towns’ 25 points and 16 rebounds, and Jalen Brunson’s 24 points (10 in the fourth quarter), clawed back from a 23-point deficit to cut it to just 10 late in the fourth. However, New York’s offense sputtered at the wrong time, going ice cold from beyond the arc (just 8-of-34 on threes) and coughing up eight turnovers in the final period. Mikal Bridges, a key piece of the Knicks’ attack, was held scoreless in 27 minutes—a testament to the Lakers’ defensive intensity.
Defense has been the buzzword around L.A. lately, and Sunday’s effort was a masterclass in team commitment. The Lakers held the NBA’s No. 3 offense to just 42.7% shooting, forced 19 turnovers, and limited the Knicks to 20 points below their season average. Redick praised his players’ willingness to sacrifice, particularly highlighting the charges taken by Doncic, Reaves, and Marcus Smart. "That's a sacrificial play," Redick explained. "You got to put your body on the line. Our guys have been motivated to do that all year." Doncic echoed that sentiment: "We definitely need to be a better defensive team, and I think we're showing that we can do it. You know, we’re tiring ourselves. So we got to keep doing that."
Statistically, the Lakers have been a different team when Doncic is running the show without LeBron on the floor. According to Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, Doncic averages a staggering 38.2 points and 9.2 assists per 75 possessions with LeBron off the court, compared to 27.5 points and 8.1 assists when sharing the floor. The net rating swings dramatically as well, favoring the Doncic-led lineups. While the Lakers hope to eventually find the ideal blend with both superstars healthy, Sunday’s result offered a glimpse of their potential when Doncic is given the keys.
On the Knicks’ side, coach Mike Brown—who once helmed the Lakers—voiced his frustration after the game. “If we did those things, those self-inflicted things, I would be frustrated, whatever it is,” Brown said. “But again, they had something to do with it, they’re a good team. I don’t want to take anything away from JJ and the rest of the staff and all those players, they earned that win. But I thought we had some controllables that we didn’t do a good job of taking care of. And that’s the frustrating part. We didn’t give ourselves much of a chance to win this ballgame, at any point. And that’s what’s frustrating.”
The Lakers’ victory was also notable for its impact on the standings and team morale. Prior to Sunday, L.A. had struggled against elite competition, posting just a 4-12 record against teams with a .600 winning percentage or better. This win, however, came against a Knicks squad that had just thrashed the Denver Nuggets (with Nikola Jokic) and had lost only two of their previous six games. "We kind of took it personal, I think, and then we got this dub," Hachimura said. "So, that was a great team win."
Redick, ever the steady hand, cautioned against getting carried away. "I'm not in a position where I can overreact," he said. "You guys [in the media] do that. The fans, rightfully so, should always overreact. It's what makes fandom so awesome. ... My job is not to overreact. We're 15-9 in our last 24. We're a top-10 offense and a top-15 defense. That's what we wanted to be coming into the season with this group, and that's where our group is right now."
Yet, not all the headlines were positive for Doncic. The star guard made a money signal gesture toward officials after a no-call, a move that has earned him fines in the past and could draw the league’s attention once again. He also picked up his 15th technical foul of the season just days earlier against Indiana, meaning one more would trigger an automatic one-game suspension. With the Lakers’ chemistry and momentum on the rise, keeping Doncic on the court will be crucial.
Looking ahead, the Lakers face a daunting stretch, with upcoming home games against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Chicago Bulls, and Denver Nuggets. How they navigate this stretch, particularly with LeBron’s health in question and Doncic walking a disciplinary tightrope, will likely define their playoff trajectory.
For now, though, the Lakers can savor a signature win—one that showcased their evolving defense, the brilliance of Doncic and Reaves, and a collective belief that this group might finally be figuring things out. The gauntlet continues Tuesday, but for one night in Los Angeles, the Lakers were simply too much for the Knicks.