The Los Angeles Lakers lost 112-100 to the New York Knicks on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Lakers fell 112-100 to the New York Knicks on Sunday to continue the Lakers' up and down stretch of games. The Lakers haven't won more than two games in a row since they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 6 for their third-straight win at that time.
OG Anunoby led the way for the Knicks with 25 points, Landry Shamet added 23 points, Josh Hart followed behind with 20 points and Jalen Brunson scored 12 points and turned in a season-high 13 assists.
On the Lakers end, Luka Doncic had another huge game with 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists while LeBron James followed with 22 points, six assists and five rebounds.
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against New York Knicks guards Jalen Brunson (11) and Landry Shamet (44) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesA Three Point Disparity
The major difference maker in the game was three point shooting and how good one team had it and how bad another had it.
The Knicks had a great three point shooting night, going 18-42 from beyond the arc while the Lakers shot just 12-42 from three, a difference of 13% in shooting percentage.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesThose extra points that the Knicks racked up from triples despite having the exact same shooting opportunities as the Lakers decided the game for them and after the game Lakers head coach JJ Redick reflected on just how good the Knicks have been from three not just in Sunday's game, but the whole season.
"They're [Knicks] No. 1 in the league in generating corner threes. A lot of that is Hart and Brunson pushing in transition and Bridges and Anunoby getting to those corners... Their shooting killed us and our shooting didn't help us," Lakers head coach JJ Redick said (via Lakers Fam).
How the Rest of the Season Looks for the Lakers
After the loss, the Lakers are now 29-19. That record still has them at first place in the Pacific Division, but they've fallen to sixth-seed in the Western Conference as teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves have surged ahead and the Phoenix Suns bump right up against the Lakers with just a few points less in winning percentage.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (36) controls the ball against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Brad Penner-Imagn ImagesThe Lakers will certainly benefit from the impending return of Austin Reaves from injury, which should be due to happen in the next few games barring any major setbacks, but still, the Lakers are going to be locked in a battle for their playoff positioning in the Western Conference for the rest of the season.
They'll need to start finding some consistent success soon or else teams like the Suns will be more than at their heels, they'll be ahead of them.