The Los Angeles Lakers secured a gritty 110-97 win over the New York Knicks despite missing LeBron James, with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combining for 60 points
LUKA DONCIC scored 35 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 110-97 victory over the New York Knicks on Sunday.
The Slovenian star hit five three-pointers in a wire-to-wire win, stepping up in the absence of the injured LeBron James.
Austin Reaves added 25 points as the duo combined for 60 points against a potent Knicks offense averaging 117 per game this season.
Lakers coach JJ Redick praised his team’s defensive effort as the key to the win.
“Tonight there was one key – and that was multiple efforts,” Redick said. “We did that throughout the game, not just in spurts.”
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with 25 points, while Jalen Brunson contributed 24.
The Lakers improved to 39-25 and sit fifth in the Western Conference, 10.5 games behind the leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
In other NBA action, Jayson Tatum scored 20 points in the Boston Celtics’ 109-98 road win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jaylen Brown led Boston with 23 points as the Celtics improved to 43-21.
“I can’t stress enough how happy I am to be out here playing,” said Tatum, who recently returned from a 10-month injury layoff.
Donovan Mitchell top-scored for Cleveland with 30 points, with the Cavaliers holding fourth in the Eastern Conference at 39-25.
