New York Knicks vs Los Angeles Lakers Picks and Predictions February 1st 2025

Knicks Face Lakers and Familiar Foe LeBron James in Marquee Showdown

The New York Knicks are rolling on their current homestand, but their next challenge comes in the form of the Los Angeles Lakers and a player who has tormented them for decades—LeBron James. As the two big-market franchises collide for the first time this season on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden, the Knicks will look to extend their winning streak while the Lakers aim to keep their momentum going.

Brunson Emerging as New York’s Superstar

For years, the Knicks searched for a franchise-altering superstar, often dreaming of landing LeBron James. Instead, they found their leader in Jalen Brunson, who has continued to prove he is the face of the franchise.

Brunson’s latest masterpiece came in Wednesday’s 122-112 victory over the Denver Nuggets, where he exploded for 30 points and 15 assists—becoming just the fourth player in Knicks history to accomplish that feat. His third-quarter takeover, where he scored 18 points, helped New York pull away from the defending NBA champions.

“He was just special,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said. “’Cap’ is special. Everyone knows. We needed him to score tonight, we needed him to do what he does best. And he did that. That’s why he’s special. Whenever his name is called in the biggest moment, he’s ready.”

Brunson, who was recently named an All-Star starter for the first time, is averaging 25.9 points and a career-high 7.5 assists per game. He has been the driving force behind the Knicks’ resurgence, helping put them on track for a third straight playoff appearance after the franchise had reached the postseason just once in the previous nine years before his arrival.

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LeBron Continues to Defy Time

While the Knicks have found their star, the Lakers are still powered by one of the greatest to ever play the game. Now in his 22nd season, LeBron James continues to be a dominant force at 40 years old, averaging 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game.

James led the way in the Lakers’ 134-96 blowout win over the Washington Wizards on Thursday, scoring 24 points and dishing out 11 assists in just 26 minutes—his lowest workload of the season. With the game out of hand by the third quarter, James got some much-needed rest as Los Angeles cruised to victory.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick marveled at James’ consistency and leadership.

“Don’t overlook the fact that, by the way, he’s 40 years old in Year 22 with every accolade under the sun and he comes out on a Thursday night in a non-nationally televised game against a team that’s really struggling and he’s the tone-setter.”

James has a long history of tormenting the Knicks, averaging 26.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists across 59 career games against New York. He will undoubtedly look to add to that legacy under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.

Lakers Heating Up at the Right Time

Los Angeles (30-22) has won seven of its last nine games and currently sits in fifth place in the Western Conference, holding onto a guaranteed playoff spot. While Anthony Davis has been dealing with an abdominal injury, James and the supporting cast have stepped up to keep the Lakers in the postseason mix.

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The Lakers’ blowout win over Washington was a statement performance, with their offense firing on all cylinders. They led 78-45 at halftime and were ahead by 35 points when James exited for good in the third quarter.

With James setting the tone, Los Angeles will look to carry that energy into a tougher challenge against a surging Knicks squad.

What to Expect

The Knicks (32-17) have won all three games so far on their five-game homestand, and with Brunson playing at an elite level, they will look to keep rolling. However, stopping LeBron James has historically been a nearly impossible task for New York, and the Lakers come in playing some of their best basketball of the season.

Will Brunson and the Knicks rise to the occasion, or will LeBron once again own the stage at Madison Square Garden? The answer awaits in what promises to be a high-stakes showdown between two of the NBA’s most storied franchises.