NEW YORK — LeBron James showcased his brilliance once again at Madison Square Garden, delivering a stellar performance with 33 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds in what marked his 10th triple-double for the season. His effort propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to a convincing 128-112 victory over the New York Knicks on Saturday evening.
However, James’ performance was quickly overshadowed by reports of a major trade agreement that will see Luka Doncic joining the Lakers in a significant three-team deal, which includes Anthony Davis moving to the Dallas Mavericks. An insider with knowledge of the negotiations revealed early Sunday that Doncic, along with Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, would move to Los Angeles, while Davis and Max Christie would be headed to Dallas. This information was shared on the condition of anonymity since neither club can publicly announce the trade until it receives the necessary approval from the league.
In his favorite venue, James celebrated his 23rd win at the arena, exceeding his average of 28 points per game there. During the game, he also reached a notable milestone by becoming the seventh player in NBA history to make 2,500 three-pointers. He contributed three of the Lakers’ total of 19 three-point shots, just shy of their season-high that night.
Austin Reaves chipped in a strong performance as well, adding 27 points, while Rui Hachimura contributed 21 for the Lakers, who exhibited impressive shooting, hitting 58% of their attempts from the field. For the Knicks, Josh Hart delivered a standout performance with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, marking his seventh triple-double of the season. However, the Knicks struggled to maintain their momentum, ending a five-game winning streak, with Jalen Brunson gathering 17 points and Mikal Bridges contributing 16.
In terms of takeaways, the Lakers demonstrated their effective offensive strategy, as five players successfully knocked down at least three three-pointers. This balanced shooting approach highlights the threat they pose when James leads the team. On the Knicks’ side, the focus shifted after OG Anunoby exited the game in the third quarter with a sprained right foot, having scored 13 points before the injury.
A notable moment occurred late in the game when fans began chanting for Bronny James, prompting his entry into the game as his father left the court with 1:50 remaining. Bronny’s debut shot was a smooth left-handed layup, marking a memorable moment for the young player.
A key statistic to note is the performance of Knicks’ All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, who struggled significantly, hitting only 3 of 12 shots for a total of 11 points.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will return to Los Angeles, winding down their six-game road trip with a match against the Clippers on Tuesday, while the Knicks are set to host the Houston Rockets on Monday.
