Luka Dominates Without LeBron
Luka Doncic dropped 35 points and grabbed 8 rebounds as the Lakers beat the Knicks 110-97, with LeBron James scratched due to a left elbow injury. Austin Reaves added 25 points in the victory over one of the league's top teams.
LeBron James was sidelined for the second consecutive game with a left elbow contusion, an injury he sustained in a game against the Denver Nuggets. The 41-year-old is also managing right foot arthritis and has now missed 20 games for the Lakers in the 2025-26 season. This victory improved the Lakers' record to 39-25, placing them fifth in the Western Conference standings. The win was particularly significant as it came against a Knicks team with one of the better records in the league; prior to this game, the Lakers were just 4-12 against opponents with a winning percentage above .600. Interestingly, the Lakers have performed exceptionally well when James is out and the offense runs through Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. In games where just those two lead the team, the Lakers hold a 9-2 record and boast a significantly higher net rating (+16.9) compared to when all three play together (+1.5). The Knicks, who entered the game as one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference with a 41-24 record, struggled with their shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns was the high scorer for New York with 25 points, while Jalen Brunson contributed 24 in the losing effort.
