Luka Doncic scored 32 points and LeBron James added 31 as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the New York Knicks 113-109 in overtime on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to eight games. Doncic, who also recorded 12 assists and eight rebounds, scored five points in overtime, helping the Lakers improve to 9-2 since his debut. James secured the victory with clutch free throws, finishing with 12 rebounds and eight assists.
The Lakers trailed 90-80 with under seven minutes left in regulation but responded with a 19-6 run, highlighted by Gabe Vincent's go-ahead 3-pointer for a 99-96 lead. New York forced overtime on Jalen Brunson’s three-point play, but the Knicks couldn’t capitalize in the extra period. Brunson scored 39 points before injuring his right ankle on a drive early in overtime, forcing him to leave the game.
Los Angeles struggled from beyond the arc early, shooting 7 of 27 through three quarters, but caught fire late, hitting 7 of 15 from deep in the fourth quarter and overtime. Jaxson Hayes' pair of free throws with 59.7 seconds left in OT gave the Lakers a lead they wouldn't relinquish, and James sealed it with two more foul shots after a loose ball foul on Karl-Anthony Towns.
The Lakers' resilience showed as they overcame a game where they didn't attempt a single free throw in the fourth quarter but made 5 of 6 in overtime. With the win, Los Angeles moved to 40-21, continuing their surge up the Western Conference standings. Let's provide a rating for every Lakers player after another impressive performance from the group.
LeBron James: A+
Stats: 31 PTS, 12 REB (1 OREB, 11 DREB), 8 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 11-23 FG, 2-8 3PT, 7-8 FT, +4, 44 MIN
LeBron was clutch when it mattered most, leading the Lakers with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists in a grueling 44 minutes. His ability to control the pace and deliver in key moments was evident, particularly in overtime, where his two late free throws sealed the win. Despite struggling from three (2-of-8), LeBron's efficiency at the line (7-of-8 FT) and low turnover count (only one) underscored his poise under pressure. His +4 plus-minus highlighted his impact in a tightly contested game, showcasing why he remains the Lakers' go-to leader.
Luka Doncic: A
Stats: 32 PTS, 7 REB (0 OREB, 7 DREB), 12 AST, 4 STL, 0 BLK, 5 TO, 5 PF, 9-23 FG, 4-12 3PT, 10-12 FT, +16, 43 MIN
Doncic was once again instrumental in the Lakers' comeback, finishing with 32 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds. His defensive activity was a pleasant surprise, as he recorded four steals, helping to spark transition opportunities. While his efficiency was lacking (9-of-23 FG, 4-of-12 3PT), Doncic's playmaking and ability to get to the free-throw line (10-of-12 FT) were crucial in swinging momentum. His +16 plus-minus was the best on the team, reflecting his comprehensive influence on both ends of the floor.
Gabe Vincent: C+
Stats: 12 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 4-5 FG, 4-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 22 MIN
Vincent was a key contributor off the bench, hitting all four of his three-point attempts, including a critical go-ahead triple late in the fourth quarter. His 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting were vital for a Lakers squad that struggled from deep for most of the night. Although his contributions were limited outside of scoring, Vincent’s +2 plus-minus and timely shooting provided the spark Los Angeles needed to force overtime.
Dalton Knecht: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 4-8 FG, 3-7 3PT, 0-0 FT, -1, 21 MIN
Knecht provided a steadying presence off the bench with 11 points and four rebounds, knocking down three of his seven attempts from deep. His ability to stretch the floor was valuable in the fourth quarter, helping to open driving lanes for LeBron and Doncic. However, his -1 plus-minus reflected a few defensive lapses, indicating room for improvement on that end. Nonetheless, his shooting kept the Lakers afloat during a cold stretch.
Jaxson Hayes: C+
Stats: 8 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 6 PF, 3-5 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, +5, 34 MIN
Hayes delivered a balanced effort with eight points, five rebounds, and two blocks, including a pair of clutch free throws in overtime that put the Lakers ahead for good. While foul trouble sometimes limited his defensive aggressiveness, Hayes' efficiency (3-of-5 FG) and +5 plus-minus underscored his impact. His ability to defend without fouling in key moments was crucial in containing the Knicks' frontcourt.
Trey Jemison III: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 4 REB (1 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 4 PF, 3-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT, -2, 13 MIN
Jemison made the most of his 13 minutes, scoring seven points on 3-of-4 shooting and grabbing four rebounds. While his two turnovers and four fouls limited his effectiveness at times, his energy and efficiency in limited action were commendable. His -2 plus-minus suggested he struggled defensively, but his contributions on offense helped keep the Lakers competitive in non-LeBron minutes.
Austin Reaves: C
Stats: 8 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 3 PF, 2-13 FG, 1-7 3PT, 3-4 FT, -7, 32 MIN
Austin Reaves had a rough night offensively, shooting just 2-of-13 from the field and 1-of-7 from three-point range. Despite his scoring struggles, Reaves contributed with six rebounds and a few gritty defensive plays. His -7 plus-minus indicated his difficulties finding a rhythm, but his willingness to keep shooting and attacking the glass showed resilience. Cleaning up his shot selection and minimizing turnovers will be key going forward.
Jarred Vanderbilt: C
Stats: 2 PTS, 5 REB (2 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -11, 17 MIN
Vanderbilt’s impact was limited to the defensive end, where he recorded two steals and a block. Offensively, he was nearly invisible, scoring just two points on 1-of-3 shooting. His -11 plus-minus was the worst on the team, reflecting his struggles to keep pace with the Knicks' wings. Vanderbilt's defensive versatility remains valuable, but a more assertive approach on offense is needed to complement his efforts on the other end.
Dorian Finney-Smith: D
Stats: 2 PTS, 5 REB (4 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 1-5 FG, 0-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, +14, 40 MIN
Finney-Smith's shooting woes continued as he managed just two points on 1-of-5 shooting, including 0-of-3 from beyond the arc. While his five rebounds (four offensive) were a positive, his two turnovers and inability to stretch the floor hurt the Lakers’ spacing. His +14 plus-minus was misleading, largely due to being on the floor during strong team runs rather than individual impact.
