LeBron James dominates as Lakers rip Knicks who also lose OG Anunoby to injury

The Knicks’ first loss in six games could prove doubly costly.LeBron James recorded a triple-double Saturday night in what potentially could be his final career game at Madison Square Garden, and the Knicks couldn’t overcome an injury to two-way forward OG Anunoby as their five-game winning streak came to an end with a 128-112 loss to the Lakers.The defeat was exacerbated by Anunoby suffering a noncontact injury and limping to the locker room with what the Knicks later termed a sprained right foot after he dropped to one knee upon receiving a pass on the perimeter 1:22 into the third quarter.The 40-year-old James registered his 122nd career triple-double with 33 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds for the Lakers (28-19), who were without injured All-Star center Anthony Davis.LeBron’s son, rookie Bronny James, even made his MSG debut and scored late in the game after the crowd was chanting his name.“It speaks to who he is and his career,” Tom Thibodeau said about LeBron James before the game.“Twenty-[two] years to do it the way he’s done it, everywhere he’s been, if he’s on the team they’re a threat.

So they always have a chance.“Obviously Anthony Davis is a huge part of that, as well.But it’s just the way [James] can bring out the best, not only out of himself, but the people who are around him.”Josh Hart had 26 points, 13 rebounds and 11 against the team that drafted him in 2017 to notch his seventh triple-double of the season.

But leading scorers Jalen Brunson (17 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (11) combined to shoot 10-for-30 from the floor for the Knicks (32-17).Precious Achiuwa contributed 15 points and 15 boards off the bench.The Knicks’ remaining strength of schedule entering the game was the highest in the Eastern Conference, with an opponents’ combined winning percentage of .526 over the final 34 games, and tied for fourth-hardest overall in the league, according to Tankathon.Thibodeau’s team posted a strong finish to compl...