Lakers at Knicks Preview
Tonight, your Los Angeles Lakers (27-19) head to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks (32-16) in what will be their second-to-last away game during this Grammy trip.
Los Angeles is fresh off its largest win of the season against the Wizards and will look to carry that good fortune into tonight.
This Knicks team, however, is not the Washington Wizards. The Knicks are a force this season, with 30+ wins and the third seed in the East. It will take everybody on the team to play well to beat New York.
Lakers Must Win Rebounding Battle
In a game against the 76ers, Anthony Davis suffered an abdominal strain that is set to sideline him for at least a week. Davis is the Lakers’ leading rebounder, averaging 11.9 rebounds per game. Without him against a team like the Knicks, things could get hairy.
New York is ranked 23rd in the league in team rebounding to the Lakers 27th, but they’re riddled with rebounding menaces.
New York’s superstar addition, Karl Anthony-Towns, is averaging 13.7 rebounds a game, and he’s not the one the Lakers should worry about. Josh Hart is the player who could give Los Angeles serious issues without Davis. Hart is currently averaging 9.7 rebounds per game as a guard, who is only 6’4.
HUSTLE & HART 😤
Josh Hart has brought the GRIT to the Knicks this season.
❤️ Leads all guards in REB this season
❤️ Had the 4th-most REB in the NBA in January
❤️ Leads the NBA in loose balls recoveredLAL-NYK on ABC at 8:30pm/et! pic.twitter.com/OscGpqj6as
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2025
Lakers fans will remember that tenacity from his time in LA, where he was drafted. Hart will definitely need to be game-planned for tonight.
Getting guys back
While the team will be without its best player, Davis, tonight, Los Angeles is getting some reinforcements back. The Lakers have played their last few games without a couple of their best perimeter defenders.
We’ll see the return of Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith tonight, as both were listed as probable heading into tonight. This will help dramatically. Gabe Vincent has greatly improved from the start of the season. Now, he is a reliable 3&D guard off the bench, so it’ll be good to see him back.
Since joining the team, Dorian Finney-Smith has been an absolute game-changer. While his numbers won’t jump out on a box score, he’s been fantastic. That was what Lakers fans should’ve expected, though.
👀 Since DFS arrived:
AR/Max/Rui/LeBron/AD = -7.4 Net
AR/Max/DFS/LeBron/AD= +34 NetThen consider DFS didn’t play in wins against MIA, BRK, and WAS during that stretch… https://t.co/R04FWQeE3x
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) February 1, 2025
The King Returns to the Garden
Anthony Davis is out tonight, but don’t forget, LeBron Raymone James still suits up for the Lakers. The NBA’s leading all-time scorer has put in work in this arena over the length of his career.
The only player ever to average 28/6/6 at the Garden…
LEBRON RETURNS TO MSG ‼️
Lakers/Knicks, 8:30pm/et, ABC pic.twitter.com/uaDYtkWtiV
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2025
As that tweet reads, LeBron has averaged 28/6/6 in the Garden over his career. James’ most recent outburst came in 2023, his 20th season in the league. LeBron put up 28 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists to lead the Lakers to a win.
This is a much different Knicks team he is facing tonight, but we will see at 5:30 PM PST tonight whether or not he can carry this Lakers team to victory.
