If Madison Square Garden is indeed the NBA’s best stage, like JJ Redick described it, then what the Lakers decided to do before Saturday’s game against the New York Knicks must be considered a wardrobe change.
After the Lakers got blown out in Philadelphia wearing their purple-and-black “City Edition” uniforms that read “LakeShow” across the front, Austin Reaves threw his in a pile and declared that they “should never” wear them again. Having lost nine of 10 in the special edition jerseys, the Lakers were scheduled to wear them against the Knicks.
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LeBron James and the Lakers made a last-minute uniform change. They decided to wear their “Statement Edition” instead.
Well, statement made.
Whether the threads had anything to do with it or not, the Lakers definitely looked like a better version of themselves against the 32-win Knicks, dominating New York in a convincing 128-112 win for the fourth victory over their five-game trip.
Led by James’ 10th triple-double of the season, the Lakers (28-19) didn’t trail in the second half in one of their most complete victories of the season, even without Anthony Davis. The Lakers made 19 threes, their ball movement matched only by their defensive discipline.
James scored 33 to go with 12 assists and 11 rebounds, flying up and down the court and above the rim to cheers in the Garden. Reaves had 27 points and was nine for nine from the free-throw line, Rui Hachimura scored 21 points and Max Christie smothered Jalen Brunson while scoring 15 points.
Dorian Finney-Smith and Gabe Vincent returned to the lineup and combined for 24 points and eight three-pointers.
The Knicks (32-17) got a triple-double from Josh Hart with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists and they hurt the Lakers with 16 offensive rebounds. But in nearly every other facet, the Lakers were terrific.
The Lakers have won two games since Davis returned to Los Angeles to rehab an abdominal strain. They face the Clippers at the Intuit Dome on Tuesday before returning to Crypto.com Arena on Thursday to play the Golden State Warriors.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
