Lakers Overcome Deficit, Defeat Knicks in Overtime Thriller

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers secured a dramatic 113-109 overtime victory against the New York Knicks on Thursday, thanks to a remarkable contribution from their supporting cast. Despite strong performances from stars Luka Doncic and LeBron James, it was the bench players who propelled the Lakers to extend their winning streak to nine games.

The Lakers fell behind by as many as 10 points in the fourth quarter, marking just the second time during their eight-game winning streak where they trailed by double digits. However, backup point guard Gabe Vincent ignited the team’s comeback by sinking three pivotal three-pointers in the closing minutes.

“I think Gabe won the game with those three threes in the fourth quarter,” Doncic said, acknowledging Vincent’s crucial impact on the outcome. Vincent, who missed the majority of the previous season due to a knee injury, kicked off his stellar performance with a three-pointer that narrowed the Knicks’ lead to five points with 5:59 remaining.

After another three-ball reduced the deficit to just one point with 2:55 to go, Vincent’s third shot from beyond the arc gave the Lakers their first lead since the second quarter, putting them ahead 99-96 with 1:21 left in regulation.

“It’s part of why I’m here,” Vincent stated. “What I’ve done at those moments late in the season is why I take the experience I’ve built and try to keep winning games.”

The Lakers signed Vincent to a three-year contract in the summer of 2023, following an impressive run to the NBA Finals with the Miami Heat. Despite a slow start to his time with the Lakers due to injuries, he has become an essential player on both ends of the court, leading the league in defensive efficiency since January 30.

Doncic led the Lakers with 32 points, 12 assists, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, while James contributed heavily with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists, playing an impressive 44 out of 53 minutes at age 40. The game, however, was not just about the stars; the contributions from bench players were overwhelmingly significant.

Vincent ended the night with 12 points. Additionally, rookie Max Christie added 11 points, backup center Wenyen Gabriel scored 7 points with 4 rebounds, while starting center Anthony Davis tallied 8 points, 5 rebounds, and crucial free throws that cemented the Lakers’ position in the final moments of overtime.

“There’s no such thing as non-key players on this team,” James emphasized. “Everybody is key. Everyone who steps on the floor has a role, and I thought our bench gave us a great lift once again.”

The Lakers, now standing at 40-21, are set to start a four-game road trip on Saturday against their franchise rival, the Golden State Warriors. Austin Reaves, who struggled with a 2-for-13 shooting night after returning from a two-game absence due to a hamstring injury, reflected on the team’s growth in overcoming challenges, saying, “We probably shouldn’t have won that game. It’s special to not play the way you want to and still come out and win.”