The Lakers (33-34) are home to face the Knicks (39-29) for the second and final time this season, after LAL beat them 129-123 in OT in January. The game tips at 6:00 p.m. PT on Spectrum SportsNet and ESPN and 710 ESPN radio.
Below are three things to know ahead of the matchup:
FEELING THE CROWD
The energy in Crypto.com Arena has been terrific amidst L.A.’s three-game winning streak, and really, since the trade deadline, as the Lakers have gone 8-3 overall, and 5-1 at home.
After suffering an ankle sprain that kept him out for six games, D’Angelo Russell has played in only three home games, but he’s already carved out a role as the ignitor of the Purple-and-Gold masses.
In his third home game in this second stint as a Laker, Russell was particularly impactful in a come-from-behind win against Toronto, most notably in the fourth quarter, when he buried all four of his 3’s. He’d finish with 28 points and nine assists, both team highs, after hitting similarly impactful shots against New Orleans in his first home game for LAL this season, plus a team-high seven assists on Feb. 15.
“He’s a really good basketball player that plays the game the right way,” said Reaves of Russell. “He’s very under control, plays at his own pace … and he’s just super talented. Only a handful of guys make (those types of shots).”
After he dazzled the crowd not only with the late threes, but also some skillful finishes at the rim, Russell joined us in the walkoff interview:
MOMENTUM
Since the Lakers re-made their team ahead of the trade deadline, they’ve looked and played like a totally different team, even while having LeBron James for only three of the 11 contests (they won all three).
The feeling of positive momentum is real in both the standings and on the court.
On Friday night, L.A.’s starters twice fell behind by double digits, but twice, a bench crew led by Austin Reaves (18 points, five assists, +26) and Dennis Schröder (23 points, seven assists, four steals, +32) not only brought them back into the game, but pushed the double-digit margin in the other direction.
So good were the guards that Anthony Davis needed but score only eight points, as Toronto focused a great deal of attention his way.
"I think it's a huge step in the right direction when a guy who has been putting up the type of numbers he's been putting up ... tonight we were able to come away with a win against a very good team with him only, what, eight points?" Darvin Ham explained. "That's a sign of growth, and that's a testament to how deep and talented we are now."
The Lakers can tie both the Mavericks (34-34 after a loss on Saturday) and Wolves (34-34 after losing on Friday) for the West’s No. 7 seed with a victory over the Knicks, less than two weeks since they sat in the No. 13 spot.
That’s momentum.
KNICKS WITHOUT BRUNSON?
Offseason free agent acquisition Jalen Brunson has been terrific for the Knicks this season, but the major question heading into Sunday’s matchup is whether or not he’ll be available.
Brunson has missed three of the last four games, and was limited to 19 minutes of the game he played, with left foot soreness that has him officially listed as “day to day.” He sat out of NYK’s Saturday evening loss to the Clippers, after being pulled from a game at Sacramento on Thursday.
When the Lakers needed overtime for a victory in New York back in January, Brunson went off for 37 points on 13 of 29 shooting, with two triples plus nine of nine free throws. And yet, he was a -7 in the contest, as L.A. really made him work for his production. But in his last 15 games, Brunson has not only led NYK with 27.4 points and 5.8 assists to 1.7 turnovers, but he’s done so efficiently, shooting 56% from the field and 47.2% from three.
If he’s unable to play, the Lakers can expect a more heavy dose of Immanuel Quickly, the current favorite for Sixth Man of the Year honors, who’s really stepped things up in Brunson’s absence. And then, of course, two former Lakers draft picks – Julius Randle and Josh Hart – will undoubtedly have their say in the matchup. Hart’s acquisition from Portland helped spark an immediate 9-game winning streak, while Randle has returned to his All-Star form from 2020-21 this season with his mix of bully ball and tough shot making.
New York will provide a challenge on Sunday, no doubt, but a healthy Brunson presents a tougher one.