Knicks Outgun Lakers 112-100 at MSG, Role Players Fuel Six-Game Win Streak

OG Anunoby scored 25 points, Landry Shamet drilled six threes on his way to 23, and the New York Knicks rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers 112-100 at Madison Square Garden on Feb. 1, 2026, turning a tight first half into a decisive second-half surge that handed New York its sixth straight victory. Luka Dončić finished with 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists, and LeBron James added 22 points, but the Lakers could not match the Knicks’ depth and timely shooting after intermission.

Game snapshot

New York pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring Los Angeles 38-26 in the period, with transition baskets and a late barrage of threes creating separation. The final line read Knicks 112, Lakers 100, and the result left the Knicks at 31-18, while the Lakers fell to 29-19 on the season.

Key statistics

• Knicks bench: Shamet and Josh Hart combined to give New York a scoring lift, with Hart contributing 20 points.
• Lakers stars: Dončić produced a near triple-double, but the supporting cast cooled off in the fourth quarter.

Madison Square Garden felt big again, and the Knicks’ depth answered the moment.

What happened, play by play

The Lakers led at halftime, after efficient early scoring from Dončić and solid paint work, but New York flipped the script in the third quarter. The Knicks pushed tempo, forced multiple misses, and hit shots from the perimeter. A 15-5 burst late in the third — capped by threes from Shamet, Jalen Brunson and Anunoby — swung momentum and put the game out of reach.

Defensively, New York tightened rotations and contested perimeter shots, while the Lakers struggled to generate secondary scoring when LeBron and Luka were doubled or forced to create. Los Angeles shot respectably overall, but role players had poor spacing and an off night from long range down the stretch.

Player notebook

• OG Anunoby, Knicks: 25 points, active defense, timely slashes and finishes that supplied New York’s two-way identity.
• Landry Shamet, Knicks: 23 points, including six 3-pointers, a bench explosion that shifted the streak in New York’s favor.
• Jalen Brunson, Knicks: 12 points, season-high 13 assists, a facilitator when starters needed a breather.
• Luka Dončić, Lakers: 30/15/8, heroic numbers that masked a lack of support late.
• LeBron James, Lakers: 22 points, six assists, five rebounds, and the emotional context of a nationally televised return to MSG the same day he was named an All-Star reserve for a record 22nd consecutive season.

Tactical analysis

Knicks approach

Mike Brown’s team leaned on ball movement, catch-and-shoot looks from the perimeter, and quick transition opportunities that exposed the Lakers’ rotations. New York’s defensive switches and help-side awareness limited easy drives, forcing Los Angeles into contested jumpers.

Lakers adjustments that didn’t stick

Los Angeles attempted to ride its two superstars, but when Dončić and James were crowded, the bench options failed to convert enough open looks. The Lakers’ spacing issues, and a cold shooting night from key role players, prevented an effective late-game comeback.

Broader context and implications

This game underlines a few league-wide narratives. First, the Knicks have emerged as a deeper, more cohesive group, capable of sustaining a winning streak without relying solely on star scoring. Second, the Lakers still possess top-tier talent in Dončić and James, but they need consistent role-player production to contend over a long playoff series.

Standing implications after the game:

• Knicks: 31-18, riding a six-game win streak that has moved them to the top tier of the Eastern Conference.
• Lakers: 29-19, still within striking distance in the West, but facing questions about depth and late-game execution.

Voices from the arena

Players and coaches framed the outcome differently. Knicks contributors praised collective effort and bench impact, while Lakers personnel acknowledged missed opportunities and the need for cleaner offensive reads against aggressive defenses.

What fans and bettors noticed

• Madison Square Garden sold out with premium pricing reflecting LeBron’s MSG draw, a storyline that added theatre to the matchup.
• Oddsmakers and market lines tightened around the Knicks’ recent form, and sharps pointed to New York’s improved defense as the decisive edge.

What’s next

• Lakers: head to Brooklyn for a quick turnaround, looking to re-establish bench scoring and spacing.
• Knicks: travel to Washington, aiming to extend the win streak and maintain momentum through the All-Star break.

Quick reference boxscore (selected)

```json
{
"final_score": "Knicks 112, Lakers 100",
"date": "2026-02-01",
"key_performers": ["OG Anunoby 25", "Landry Shamet 23", "Luka Dončić 30/15/8", "LeBron James 22"]
}
```

Observations and takeaways

• New York’s win was a team outcome, not a single-star affair, with the bench delivering crucial scoring windows.
• The Lakers’ reliance on Dončić and James is effective most nights, but playoff-level success depends on reliable secondary scoring and defensive consistency.
• For fans and front offices, the matchup is a reminder that depth and role clarity matter in tight schedule stretches just before the All-Star break.

This game will be remembered in New York as a night when role players changed the narrative, and for Los Angeles as a prompt to recalibrate bench production, heading into a congested February schedule.