Lakers survive overtime thriller

Los Angeles, CA (News4usOnline/The Bulletin) – The Los Angeles Lakers were able to defeat the New York Knicks 113-109 in overtime. In what looked like a game the Lakers were going to fall short, the team dug deep to pull out a win.

Even after trailing in the game since the Second quarter, the Lakers fought all the way back to win.

Early on in the game the Lakers had the lead of the Knicks, with a good first quarter from star Luka Doncic. Despite the quick start the Knicks led by their star Jalen Brunson took over the game.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers play the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California on March 6, 2025. — LeBron James (23) and the Los Angeles Lakers play the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on March 6, 2025. James scored 31 points and 12 rebounds in the Lakers’ 113-109 win in overtime. Photo credit: Mark Hammond courtesy of The Bulletin

Brunson was essentially unguardable in this game, finishing the game with 39 points. Brunson was able to get whatever he wanted on offense until he left the game in overtime with an ankle injury.

New York was flowing on offense, and forced the Lakers to be stagnant for the majority of the second and third quarters. The Lakers never went away and while the reliable superstar performances from Luka and Lebron James helped, an unsung hero from the team stepped up.

Guard Gabe Vincent came off the bench and made huge timely shots to keep the Lakers in the game. Every time the Knicks would make a run to put away the Lakers, Vincent was there to keep them alive with a three point shot. Vincent finished the game with 12 points.

“Gabe won us the game with those three three’s in the fourth quarter, that was huge for us.” Doncic said.

James echoed what Doncic said about Vincent’s late game shooting.

“I think Gabe [Vincent] won us the game with those three threes in the fourth quarter,” James said. “That was huge for us. That is how we got the energy up, that is how we got the crowd in, and I think he won us the game.”

Role players made big and necessary contributions to help the Lakers to a win, but the defense made a stand. Only allowing the Knicks 15 total points in the fourth quarter. Over the past few weeks the Lakers have been number 1 in several defensive categories and in the fourth quarter their defensive efforts were on display.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives to the basket against the New York Knicks during an NBA game played at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on March 6, 2025. Reaves and the Lakers defeated the Knicks 113-109 in overtime. Photo credit: Mark Hammond courtesy of The Bulletin

“A night like tonight when it felt like a lot of things didn’t go our way and wasn’t easy, they often can come from your non-stars. I thought Jaxson’s [Hayes] defense in the second half and Gabe’s [Vincent] shot making was huge. Gabe doesn’t make those four threes, we’re not even in the game,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said.

The Lakers played hard and never allowed themselves to get out of the game despite Brunson’s dominance. Forcing overtime after looking like this may get out of the Lakers reach shows how hard the team plays and pride in their defensive effort. Surviving this overtime battle pushes the Lakers to eight straight wins, the most all season.