Lakers Defeat Knicks 113-109 in Overtime; Brunson Injured in Comeback Loss

Before the game, the New York Knicks (40-22) were undefeated in overtime games, having won all five such opportunities, while the Los Angeles Lakers (40-21) had been riding a seven-game win streak. But one of those streaks was destined to end, and the Knicks' perfect overtime record fell in a hard-fought 113-109 loss at Crypto.com Arena.

The Lakers started strong, but the Knicks mounted a good comeback in the second quarter, taking a nine-point deficit and converting it into a nine-point lead by halftime. The game went into overtime after a nail-biting finish in which a buzzer-beater was missed. Unfortunately for New York, Jalen Brunson rolled his ankle in overtime, and the Lakers capitalized on free throws to win the game. This was the Knicks' first overtime loss of the season.

First Half: Knicks Fight Back

The Lakers played well at the start of the game, even taking a 7-0 run early to build up a robust lead. But New York, led by Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart, battled back into contention. The Knicks were shooting poorly in the beginning, but Brunson and Hart took care of all of New York's first 17 points. OG Anunoby also chipped in with 13 points in the second quarter, even battling through a sprained thumb.

New York's defence and ball movement were key to turning the game around. They flipped the script by halftime, gaining a 60-51 lead. The Lakers were hindered by poor shooting, particularly from Austin Reaves, who missed all six shots in the first half. LeBron James had 16 points, while Luka Doncic contributed 18.

Second Half: Knicks Struggle to Hold On

The second quarter saw more tit-for-tat action. Luka continued working towards a triple-double, as Brunson worked towards a double-double of his own. Anunoby was still sturdy on defence, but his offence slowed to a standstill. The Lakers, albeit sloppy at some points with 13 turnovers early in the third quarter, were able to make up ground, as a 7-0 spurt closed the gap, with the Knicks' lead coming down to merely 84-76 at quarter end.

New York started to fatigue in the fourth quarter. Vincent and Hart traded three-pointers, and with under a minute left, LeBron hit a game-tying three-pointer.

Brunson, well-guarded, passed to Hart in the final seconds, but he could not get a shot off in time, sending the game into overtime.

Overtime: Brunson Hurt as Lakers Take the Lead

Overtime began with Luka Doncic getting on the board quickly, followed by a three-pointer to get the Lakers on the board early. Brunson, who scored all six of the Knicks' overtime points, got severely hurt on an ankle on a drive. Despite the pain, he sank two free throws before coming out.

The Knicks could not return as Towns committed a foul, and New York could not play under stress. Anunoby hit a basket but failed on the subsequent free throw for an And-1. LeBron James shut down the game with 40 seconds to go, and the Knicks are four points behind, collecting a crucial rebound and making his free throws.

Brunson's Injury a Significant Setback

Jalen Brunson scored 39 points and 10 assists but could not lead his team to victory due to his injury. The Knicks are now faced with the challenge of maintaining their road trip without their star player. The Lakers' winning streak is still ongoing, and they top the standings, while the Knicks need to recover from an infuriating and costly loss.

Key Performances

For Los Angeles, Luka Doncic contributed 32 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds, while LeBron James added 31 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Austin Reaves, who delivered clutch shots, and the bench, who helped by keeping them in front, were also excellent additions to the Lakers.

For New York, aside from Brunson's 39-point, 10-assist performance, Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns each put up double-doubles, with 18 points and 10 rebounds for Hart and 12 points and 14 rebounds for Towns. The Knicks, however, struggled with missed opportunities, particularly from Mikal Bridges, who had just six points in 43 minutes.

Looking Ahead

The Knicks will have to adjust on the fly as they prepare to face the Clippers next. With Brunson's injury looming over them, nobody knows how long the team will be without its captain. The Lakers maintain their hot streak, keeping the momentum going as they advance further in the Western Conference standings.

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