Luka Doncic stared at the officials and argued for calls while the Knicks drove with the ball in the other direction, his frustration dangerously close to boiling over.
It was that kind of night.
LeBron James pushed and shoved Karl-Anthony Towns in the paint, working with every bit of energy to get a stop only to roll his eyes when the Knicks worked a little bit harder to rebound and score.
It was that kind of vibe.
JJ Redick, who has overseen a defense that’s been in the right place at the right time for more than a month, looked to the crowd in helpless frustration as the Lakers struggled to get a stop.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves tries to drive around New York Knicks guard Miles McBride in the first half Thursday.
Lakers guard Austin Reaves tries to drive around New York Knicks guard Miles McBride in the first half Thursday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
It was that kind of second quarter.
And Austin Reaves, playing for the first time since sustaining a calf, got the ball spiked off his head by Towns after putting up a shot.
It was that kind of struggle.
Through it all, however, the Lakers fought. They dug into their energy reserves and found a way to keep going. And just when it seemed there would be no more to give, no more plays to make, the Lakers found a way to win their eighth consecutive game.
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent reacts as he defends against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the first half.
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent reacts as he defends against New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the first half.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Doncic scored the first five points of overtime and LeBron James hit four consecutive free throws to lift the Lakers to a 113-109 comeback win over the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night.
After the Lakers came back from down 10 in the fourth quarter, Doncic hit a fadeaway on the first possession of overtime and a rainbow three-pointer on the second, forcing the Knicks to play catch up.
And after Jalen Brunson, who the Lakers couldn’t contain all game, left the game with an ankle injury in overtime, James iced it for the Lakers with his final free throw.
In between the big plays from the Lakers’ stars, Reaves hit a big three — his first of the game — in overtime to help keep the comeback alive.
The Lakers begin a four-game trip in Boston on Saturday.
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