FSM Essential Recap: Lakers vs. Knicks – Game 54
The Los Angeles Lakers were unable to build upon their impressive performance against the Brooklyn Nets and lost to the New York Knicks, 111-96, in the first end of a back-to-back.
Kyle Kuzma returned from his two-game absence and made an immediate impact, scoring the first basket for the Lakers to go along with two blocks. Markieff Morris was forced to exit the game after suffering an apparent injury. Although he later returned, the Knicks took the lead after Julius Randle nailed his third consecutive jumper.
Another rash of turnovers from Los Angeles led to a 10-0 run for New York, putting the former down 17-10. However, Dennis Schroder carried the Lakers offense down the stretch by scoring eight straight points, and they went into the second up 28-26.
The Lakers came out slow in the second, unable to execute their offense, while the Knicks went on a quick 8-0 run. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel went back to his starters, and they were able to re-settle the team, keying an 11-0 run that gave Los Angeles back the lead.
Randle re-entered the game and picked up where he left off, scoring from all over the floor while the Lakers once again struggled to take care of the basketball. Schroder and Morris were able to keep L.A. afloat offensively but the Purple and Gold found themselves trailing 55-52 at the half.
As has been the case a lot in recent weeks, turnovers were costly for the Lakers as they gave it way 13 times in the first half compared to only seven for the Knicks.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope kicked off the third with a nice dish to Kuzma and a mid-range pull-up jumper, but New York responded with an 8-0 run that forced an L.A. timeout. Caldwell-Pope nailed a three of his own coming out of the timeout, but the Lakers continued to turn the basketball over, which made it tough to cut into the lead.
Los Angeles’ sloppiness on the offensive end allowed New York to open up their first double-digit lead of the night. Alex Caruso finally broke the scoring drought after a steal and layup, but the Lakers went into the final period trailing 81-68.
Kuzma was able to jumpstart the offense with a quick five points, but L.A. was unable to get stops defensively. Marc Gasol made his first appearance of the night and knocked a three, but the Lakers were still in a 10-point hole.
Los Angeles looked like they might be able to come back after a small run, but New York was able to respond with a 7-0 run that essentially closed the game out.
In addition to the turnovers, Randle was a problem for the Lakers as the All-Star put up All-Star-caliber numbers against his former team. Randle finished with 34 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block, doing everything in the Knicks’ win.
Lakers News and Notes:
The 2020-21 season has been less than ideal for the Los Angeles Lakers, who only had a 71-day offseason after winning the NBA Championship in the Orlando bubble last October.
The Lakers have seemingly been short-handed all season, and recently they have been forced to play without both of their stars in LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Davis was the first to go down, having last played on Feb. 14 before suffering a calf/Achilles injury. Although it was just a strain, the Lakers made it clear from the beginning that they would proceed with caution to ensure the injury does not become something more serious.
James has been out since March 20 after going down with a high ankle sprain in the loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Ankle injuries typically aren’t as serious as Achilles, but there is no doubt the Lakers are also being cautious with James, so he is healthy for another postseason run.
The Lakers have been treading water without their two stars, but with the playoffs just around the corner, the hope is that both will be back in the lineup sooner rather than later. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN provided updates on both before L.A.’s game against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday, and that looks to be the case:
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis will be re-evaluated by team doctors in L.A. this week and could return to play in the next 10 to 14 days and LeBron James could be right behind him.
Davis, out since Feb. 14 with a calf strain and tendinosis in his right leg, will be examined on Thursday after the Lakers return from their current five-game, East Coast road trip, sources said.
And James, who suffered a high right ankle sprain three weeks ago, is on track be back in the lineup in three weeks, sources said.
This is good news for the Lakers as their championship odds come and go with James and Davis, so it’s positive to see that they are both progressing and nearing a return to the court.
The Lakers have no time to rest as they will travel to Charlotte to take on the Hornets Tuesday evening. Tip-off is at 5:00 pm and the game can be seen on Spectrum SportsNet.
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-Joe Arrigo – Franchise Sports Media
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