The New York Knicks faced a tough double blow in their game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday. Not only did they lose 113-109 in overtime, but their star player, Jalen Brunson, also left the game with a serious ankle injury. The injury occurred with just 1:24 left in overtime when Brunson twisted his ankle hard during a drive to the basket.
Despite the pain, he stayed in the game long
enough to sink two free throws, tying the score, before slowly walking off the
court. Without Brunson—the team’s go-to player in high-pressure moments—the
Knicks struggled to keep up, and LeBron James sealed the Lakers’ victory with
clutch free throws, cheered on by fans chanting “MVP!”
This loss marks the Knicks’ second defeat in a
row, dropping their record to 40-22. Their next challenge is a game against the
Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, but Brunson’s availability is uncertain due to
the injury.
Earlier this season, the Knicks were outplayed by
the Lakers, and this rematch carried extra weight as it was their first game
facing Luka Doncic in a Lakers uniform. Doncic, a former Knicks rival, was
recently traded to Los Angeles in a blockbuster deal. Knicks coach Tom
Thibodeau acknowledged the ever-changing nature of the NBA, saying teams must
“be prepared for everything.”
The Knicks nearly pulled off a win in regulation.
They led by 10 points with seven minutes left but collapsed during a 19-6
Lakers run, falling behind by three points late. Brunson came through with a
crucial three-point play to tie the game, but both teams missed chances to win
in the final seconds, forcing overtime.
The Knicks entered the game mostly healthy, with
Karl-Anthony Towns returning after missing a game for personal reasons. Key
players OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson also played despite injury concerns.
Only backup center Precious Achiuwa was sidelined.
The game started poorly for New York, as the
Lakers jumped to an early nine-point lead. But the Knicks battled back,
frustrating Doncic, who scored 32 points but clashed with referees over foul
calls.
Meanwhile, LeBron James, 39, defied age with 31
points and 12 rebounds in 44 minutes of play. The loss highlighted the Knicks’
struggles in tight games and raised questions about how they’ll cope if Brunson
misses time.
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