The New York Knicks nine game winning streak comes to an end as they lose to the Los Angeles Lakers 113-105.
The New York Knicks’ winning streak stopped at nine with a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers 113 to 105. The shorthanded Knicks finally ran out of steam against a Lakers team that featured Lebron James and Anthony Davis on extra rest.
Both teams started the game ugly. It took 14 three-point attempts before either team converted any. The game found a flow in the second quarter, and the Knicks gave their strongest effort in the third. But as the fourth quarter wore on, long minutes for the starters took effect. The Lakers doubled Jalen Brunson constantly, and New York lacked the ball-handlers or shooters to capitalize.
The Knicks scored a lowly 19 points in a fourth quarter that included one of the longest scoring droughts New York has faced since before trading for Anunoby. With Austin Reaves and Taurean Prince shooting well, Lebron James had enough help to end the Knicks’ winning streak.
The Knicks faced an incredible defensive performance from Anthony Davis and a well-rested Lebron James. But they fought hard, and there’s plenty to appreciate. So, let’s take a closer look at each player’s performance.
New York’s starting unit ran out of steam late
Jalen Brunson: 36 PTS (15/31 FG, 1/6 3PT, 5/6 FT), 10 AST, 6 REB, 3 TO in 45 mins
Jalen Brunson continued his incredible play despite the Lakers sending everything but the kitchen sink at him. Brunson used every trick in his bag to break down and beat defenders like Taurean Prince before the double team could trap him. By the end of the game, the Lakers were meeting Brunson with a double as soon as he crossed half-court and playing ball denial the rest of the time.
In the face of that added attention, Brunson made a slew of nice passes. But instead of finding OG for the kickout, he was hitting Precious Achiuwa or Josh Hart. Those guys played hard but couldn’t hit enough shots to punish the defense. Everyone but Brunson struggled to score efficiently, making Brunson’s 10 dimes even more impressive.
There’s no blaming Brunson for this loss. He almost carried the Knicks single-handedly across the goal. But the Lakers doubled the Knicks’ point guard as aggressively as we’ve seen all year. It’s a reminder that New York can’t survive long without their core players back because even an MVP needs help to win 48 minutes of basketball. Brunson gets a 4.5 out of 5 for his 36-point double-double.
Donte DiVincenzo: 26 PTS (10/22 FG, 6/16 3PT), 4 AST, 6 REB, 1 BLK in 40 mins
Donte DiVincenzo started the game by missing four open looks from three. That didn’t stop him from playing aggressively, first by attacking the rim and then finally converting a shot behind the arc. DiVo would add punch to the Knicks’ starting lineup, but he struggled with his jumper more than we’re used to and faced additional attention from the Lakers’ defense.
The Big Ragu faced some challenging assignments on defense. In addition to hoisting 22 shots in 40 minutes of action, he frequently jockeyed from chasing Austin Reaves or D’Angelo Russell through screens to trying to hold Rui Hachimura in the post. DiVincenzo’s defense was far from perfect, but his effort was undeniable.
LA adjusted to the Knicks’ offense late in the game. They held a defender tight to DiVo while Achiuwa or Hart’s defender wandered toward the middle to close off any drives. It took DiVincenzo’s impact out and kept him from another night of late heroics. DiVincenzo gets a 4 out of 5 for a good all-around game.
Josh Hart: 12 PTS (5/16 FG, 2/6 3PT), 4 AST, 11 REB, 1 STL, 2 TO in 42 mins
Josh Hart did a decent job for most of the action. He menaced the boards, pushed the pace, and even notched a pair of timely three-pointers. But the fourth quarter slump came down to Los Angeles leaving Hart open and living with the consequences. Hart couldn’t score driving because of Anthony Davis’ presence, and he seemed hesitant to shoot after some misses, which left Hart leading the way in a series of failed offensive plays.
In fairness to Hart, he dealt with similarly awful spacing. The Lakers never had to send defenders off Brunson or DiVincenzo to slow Hart’s attack. Instead, help came from Precious Achiuwa or Isaiah Hartenstein’s defender, who had little to fear of payback. So Josh was left in a tough spot unless he trusted his jumper more.
The Knicks didn’t pay Josh Hart to be a second or third offensive option. He’s supposed to be a Swiss army knife that complements the team in any area of need. But he can’t carry an offense, and we shouldn’t get too mad at him for struggling in that task. Hart gets a 1.5 out of 5 for a solid effort, and he must take shots when the defense gives them to him.
Precious Achiuwa: 10 PTS (4/11 FG, 0/3 3PT, 2/2 FT), 8 REB, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 42 mins
Precious Achiuwa’s infectious effort continued, but his offense came crashing back to Earth. Achiuwa’s 11 field goals include more jump shots than I’ll ever be comfortable with him taking. The Lakers left him open, and he had to find a way to attack. But his jumper is rough to watch, especially amid a 5-minute scoring drought.
I won’t give Achiuwa too much flack because he had a massive burden. Precious often defended Lebron James, which can be impossible for even the best defenders. Achiuwa did a commendable job staying with his man, but James proved too much in many situations.
I don’t think we should blame Precious for the struggles here. He had a nightmare matchup in a role that’s been thrust on him due to injuries. He had a tough night but gave New York 42 minutes of hard-fought basketball. Achiuwa gets a 2 out of 5 for struggling but fighting.
Isaiah Hartenstein: 6 PTS (2/9 FG, 2/2 FT), 2 AST, 15 REB, 2 BLK in 33 mins
Isaiah Hartenstein ran into an incredible challenge in Anthony Davis. Davis’ defense might have been the most significant difference in this game, and Hartenstein’s 2 of 9 shooting is a testament to it. I-Hart received plenty of opportunities to roll to the basket, but Davis always seemed to get a step and challenge the shot.
To Big Hart’s credit, his defense was massive. You won’t find Davis shooting 4/12 and only scoring 12 points in 36 minutes on many nights. On top of challenging Davis’ jumpers, Hartenstein frequently hedged or helped at the rim against Laker drives. Much of LA’s offense came from shooting, as Hartenstein’s rim protection held up well.
Hartenstein’s rim protection came with foul trouble. He spent a long chunk of the fourth quarter on the bench with five fouls, which put the Knicks’ offense in a giant hole than it was already in. But as with his teammates, it’s difficult to blame I-Hart given the circumstances. For 15 more rebounds and great defense, Hartenstein gets a 2.5 despite his offensive woes.
The Knicks’ second unit needs to provide more
Miles McBride: 10 PTS (3/8 FG, 1/4 3PT, 3/4 FT), 1 AST, 2 REB, 1 TO in 20 mins
Deuce McBride finally missed some open looks from three. He might be cooling off from his recent hot shooting, as he’s shot 30 percent from the field over the last three games. But McBride continued to flash improvements attacking inside. He finished on a drive and a floater, and his four free-throw attempts are a season-high.
McBride’s defense looked strong, except when he paired with Jalen Brunson. The duo didn’t have enough size, so some shots fell even when they challenged Austin Reaves’ jumpers well. But McBride’s screen navigation is one of my favorite things to watch.
This wasn’t a gem like some of Deuce’s recent performances. He threw a particularly ugly pass to Sims that turned into fast break points for LA. His passing and creation for others is the next step before his game takes a leap. McBride gets a 2 out of 5 for providing much-needed relief to the starters.
Malachi Flynn: 3 PTS (1/2 FG, 1/1 FT) in 3 mins
Malachi Flynn looked a little shot happy. He’s 1/5 in 10 minutes over the past two games, with just 1 assist and 1 rebound in his 7 minutes from Indy. He provided no rebounds or assists this time, though three minutes isn’t much to work with.
I assume the quick hook was a combination of Flynn failing to create looks for anyone else and playing the weakest defense on the team. But Thibodeau has to give him more time, if only to get the starters some rest.
Jericho Sims: 2 PTS (1/1 FG), 3 REB in 15 mins
If not for Hartenstein’s foul trouble, Jericho Sims might have ended up in Flynn’s boat. Sims and Achiuwa made a formidable defensive frontcourt but lacked anything to help the offense. New York saw its worst spacing of the season in the fourth quarter when LA gave up any illusions about being worried by New York’s big-man tandem.
Sims deserves credit for his defense, though. He’s shockingly mobile for a player his size, and his leaping ability is compounded by how fast he rises. He’s another victim of being pushed into an uncomfortable role due to the rest of the roster’s injuries. I’ll give him a mulligan for his score this time.
Tom Thibodeau runs out of options
It’s tough to blame Tom Thibodeau for struggling for answers with his depleted roster. But he has to find rest for his starters. The Knicks went cold in the fourth quarter, and it wasn’t just the Lakers’ defense that caused it. With four players clocking more than 40 minutes of action, fatigue was bound to become a factor in this loss.
Closing Thoughts
I’m not mad at the loss, but it’s frustrating. The Lakers brought a well-rested Lebron James and Anthony Davis into the Garden, while New York was depleted to the point of exhaustion by the end. It’s the type of game you wish you could have back because I think even one of OG, Randle, or even Grimes would change the result.
But that’s a testament to how good New York has become. Does anyone reading this believe that our orange and blue hoopers lose this game if their core were back? It’s a different kind of confidence to feel that way about playing a team with Lebron.
I’ll go even further. If this team is healthy by the playoffs, there isn’t a team from 5-10 in the East that worries me. I’d be less surprised by a sweep than New York losing. That’s the level of confidence I’m at with this squad.
The Memphis Grizzlies are next, with more injuries than the Knicks. That’s an opportunity to start a new streak, even with a depleted lineup. It’s an important win thanks to a demanding upcoming schedule after that, along with a tight race from 3rd place to 5th. We can discuss the results after, hopefully with a reason to celebrate. See you next time, Knicks fam!
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