OG Anunoby scored 25 points, Landry Shamet added 23, and the New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 112-100 on Sunday night, spoiling LeBron James’ return to Madison Square Garden for the 32nd time in his career.
Josh Hart contributed 20 points, and Jalen Brunson recorded 12 points and a season-high 13 assists as the Knicks matched a season high with their sixth straight victory, most of them comfortable wins. Karl-Anthony Towns added 11 points and 13 rebounds after being named an All-Star reserve.
James finished with 22 points, six assists and five rebounds in a nationally televised game that marked his NBA-record 22nd consecutive All-Star selection. Despite his effort, he fell to 23-9 in regular-season games at MSG, where he had averaged 28.2 points, 7.6 assists and 7.0 rebounds coming in. Luka Dončić also had a big night for the Lakers with 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.
The Knicks pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 38-26 with three straight transition baskets before finishing the frame on 3-pointers from Shamet, Brunson and Anunoby in a 15-5 run that gave New York a 90-82 lead heading into the fourth.
The game carried extra significance as a potential final MSG appearance for James drove ticket prices sky-high, with court-side seats selling for thousands, and it served as the debut of NBC’s “Sunday Night Basketball” package.
Up next:
The Lakers visit Brooklyn on Tuesday, while the Knicks travel to Washington.
