The Los Angeles Lakers play the New York Knicks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks clash on Sunday. Both teams are riding highs after relative skids earlier in January.
The Lakers have win five of their seven games and are fresh off a dominant 142-111 win over the Washington Wizards on Friday that featured one of Luka Doncic's best performances of the season, while the Knicks have won five straight games and look to be firing on all cylinders.
The two marquis teams of the east and west coasts should have a good matchup on Sunday as two of the best teams in the NBA, but the Lakers may have an edge on their coastal counterparts should a certain star make his return to the court.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesLakers Injury Report
Austin Reaves (calf) is QUESTIONABLE for Sunday's game. Reaves has been out since Christmas Day with a left calf strain, but after weeks of rehab and workouts that Lakers head coach JJ Redick said were progressing well, Reaves could be near a return to the court.
An upgrade to questionable status is the best news that Lakers fans have received about Reaves in over a month and with the career season Reaves has been having playing alongside Luka Doncic, where Reaves is averaging 26.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, having him back is huge news for the Lakers.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) moves to the basket against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesBronny James (leg) is OUT for Sunday's game with lower leg soreness.
Adou Thiero (knee) remains OUT with a right MCL sprain. Thiero has been out since Dec. 30 with the injury.
Knicks Injury Report
The Knicks don't have many injuries to report at this point, but heading into Sunday's game riding the momentum of a five-game win streak, they're digging into the depth that they've had stored away in the G-League.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (7) shoots against New York Knicks guard Miles McBride (2) during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesThe only major injury to report is that Miles McBride (ankle) will be OUT for the matchup against the Lakers due to left ankle injury management. McBride last played in the Knicks' Jan. 27 win over the Sacramento Kings, but with the Knicks' jam-packed schedule in the past week, McBride has been forced to sit out.
Sunday's game will be the third-straight that McBride will miss.
Beyond that, the Knicks have a healthy roster. Kevin McCullar Jr. and Trey Jemison III (two-way) are QUESTIONABLE for Sunday's game as is Pacome Dadiet (on assignment). All three have been playing with the Westchester Knicks of the G-League, but there's a chance they could be called upon against Los Angeles.