LeBron James continues to solidify his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time with an extraordinary performance at Madison Square Garden. On Saturday, James achieved his 10th triple-double of the season, contributing 33 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. His efforts were instrumental in the Los Angeles Lakers' commanding 128-112 victory over the New York Knicks.
Madison Square Garden has often been dubbed as James's favorite arena outside of Los Angeles, and his outstanding records at this iconic venue were further enhanced with this win. With a personal record of 23-8 at the Garden, LeBron's prowess was evident as he easily surpassed his average of 28 points per game in this storied basketball mecca.
Moreover, LeBron's achievement of reaching 2,500 career 3-pointers marks a significant milestone as he becomes the seventh player in NBA history to do so. He added three pivotal shots from beyond the arc in a game where the Lakers matched their season-high with 19 successful 3-pointers, demonstrating the depth and versatility of their shooting capabilities.
The Lakers' balanced offense was further evidenced by Austin Reaves, who contributed 27 points, and Rui Hachimura, with 21 points, supporting LeBron's brilliant performance. This impressive teamwork propelled the Lakers to shoot 58% from the field.
Despite a valiant effort from the Knicks, who had been riding a five-game winning streak, their momentum was halted. Josh Hart's outstanding triple-double, comprising 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists, was noteworthy but insufficient to secure a Knicks' victory. Contributions from Jalen Brunson with 17 points and Mikal Bridges with 16 points could not stem the Lakers' tide.
While the result was disappointing for the Knicks, concerns loom larger as they deal with the injury of OG Anunoby, who left the game with a sprained right foot after registering 13 points. Meanwhile, Knicks All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns struggled to find his rhythm, shooting only 3 for 12 and collecting 11 points.
Adding a touch of personal significance to the evening, LeBron's son, Bronny James, made an appearance in the final minutes of the game. As the crowd urged Bronny onto the court, he did not disappoint, making a memorable left-handed layup with his sole attempt, following in his father's significant footsteps.
As they return to Los Angeles, the Lakers prepare to face city rivals, the Clippers, to conclude their six-game road trip on Tuesday, while the Knicks look to regroup and prepare for their upcoming matchup against the Houston Rockets.
