The vitality at Madison Sq. Backyard modified immediately.
One second, the Knicks had been battling the Los Angeles Lakers, their defensive ace smothering LeBron James whereas flattening threes on the opposite finish.
The subsequent, silence.
OG Anunoby planted his proper foot awkwardly in transition with underneath 90 seconds left within the third quarter, took a knee, and didn’t get again up.
Head coach Tom Thibodeau instantly known as timeout, and Anunoby’s matchup, LeBron James, unable to cease his momentum, flippantly ran into him earlier than Anunoby cursed in frustration to his damage.
James, a participant who has largely defied main accidents for 22 NBA seasons, took a second to test in on his opponent. Karl-Anthony Cities adopted go well with, providing phrases of encouragement as the burden of the second set in.
The Knicks shortly dominated Anunoby out with a proper foot sprain.
But when the involved expressions on his teammates’ faces had been any indication, it could possibly be one thing worse.
And with their defensive anchor out, the Lakers smelled blood.
Earlier than the damage, Anunoby was dominating each ends. He had 13 factors on 5-of-7 capturing, 3-of-4 from deep, and was taking part in nearly as good of a protection as attainable on the Lakers’ celebrity ahead.
James, sensing his normal mismatches weren’t there, performed the facilitator function early, racking up six first-half assists and looking for higher matchups.
Then the Knicks misplaced their greatest defender.
And The King went searching.
Valuable Achiuwa? Not fast sufficient.
Josh Hart? Too small.
Karl-Anthony Cities? Too gradual.
Mikal Bridges? Locked in on Austin Reaves, who completed with 25 factors, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
With no one left to cease him, James took over. He torched the Knicks for 33 factors, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds on 14-of-26 capturing.
Already carrying an additional load with Anthony Davis sidelined indefinitely, James shifted into assault mode as soon as Anunoby left the sport.
“Obviously [the game plan] starts with LeBron, but they’re a lot more than just that,” Thibodeau mentioned earlier than tipoff. “When you look at the way [Austin] Reaves can play, off the dribble, he complements LeBron.
“So they have a number of weapons — and LeBron’s ability to make everyone better. It’s a huge test.”
It was a check the Knicks couldn’t cross with out Anunoby.
Even in 12 months 22, LeBron’s dominance continues to defy logic.
Saturday’s efficiency strengthened his standing because the second participant in NBA historical past—alongside Karl Malone—to document a triple-double at age 40 or older.
“It speaks to who he is and his career. Twenty-one 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 [the Lakers] always have a chance,” Thibodeau mentioned forward of tipoff on Saturday. “Obviously Anthony Davis is a huge part of that as well. Just the way he can bring the best up, not only out of himself but the people who are around him. The kid Max Christie is having a heck of a year for them, as well. He’s an all-around player. So we have to be ready for him. It’s a dangerous team.”
Regardless of a balanced offensive effort, the Knicks couldn’t get better from dropping their defensive glue.
All 5 starters scored in double figures, and the bench gave them manufacturing: Achiuwa completed with 15 factors and 15 rebounds, and Miles McBride added 12 factors with three 3s off the bench.
However Jalen Brunson (17 factors, seven assists) had an off night time by his requirements, and Cities continues to battle offensively whereas managing a proper thumb damage. The All-Star beginning heart completed with simply 11 factors, six rebounds, and three assists in 35 minutes, whereas additionally battling foul hassle.
The Knicks got here into Saturday as the most popular group in basketball, using a five-game profitable streak.
Now, they face rapid adversity.
Anunoby’s damage looms massive, and the schedule doesn’t let up.
Subsequent up? The Western Convention’s second-seeded Houston Rockets go to The Backyard on Monday night time.
If Anunoby is sidelined long-term, the Knicks should discover a method to cease one of many league’s most athletic and dynamic offenses—with out their greatest defensive weapon.
