Lakers Defense Steps Up, Blast Knicks

Written by Malcolm Xavier of The Lakers Room

Luka Doncic led the team with 35 points on 11/25 shooting, it didn't matter how inefficiently the Lakers shot the ball, a combined team effort of 43% on Sunday. Thanks to a stifling defense that led the way holding the Knicks to 97 points. (Jalen Brunson & Karl Anthony Towns combined for 49 of those).

It felt like every Laker who touched the floor had an impact, Deandre Ayton only had 2 first half points (6 overall) but his effort and intensity felt ten times that. Austin Reaves broke out of his recent slump chipping in 25 points on 50% shooting adding three trey balls. Rui chipped in 13 and Luke Kennard added 12 off the bench and three long bombs of his own. Marcus Smart had only 5 total points and ended up a plus 27, stating his overall impact along with Jared Vanderbilt who was a menace defensively.

LA improves to 13-7 without LeBron James and currently 39-25 one game out of 3rd place in the tough Western Conference, they play Minnesota in a first round rematch Tuesday at Crypto for a chance to move up to fourth in the conference.