The New York Knicks are back on track after their injury worries and Isaiah Hartenstein is also picking up speed. Anthony Edwards set one of two special highlights – but did not remain unscathed. The NBA on Tuesday morning
The New York Knicks (41 wins, 27 losses) won the West-East matchup 119-112 at the Golden State Warriors (35-32) in San Francisco for their fourth straight victory. After an 8:0 run at the start, the course was quickly set and the lead never changed hands. The visitors’ starting five did a strong job, with Josh Hart in particular outstanding: Josh Hart. The shooting guard was the first professional to play the full 48 minutes in this NBA season and also notched up a triple-double with ten points, eleven rebounds and eleven assists each.
Jalen Brunson pulled the strings as usual (34 points, seven assists), relieved in the backcourt by Miles McBride with 29 points. Under the basket, Isaiah Hartenstein slowly returned to his January form after a spell of hamstring problems and secured his seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and ten rebounds. Stephen Curry scored 27 points for the Dubs.
Edwards dislocates his finger
Over to the Great Salt Lake, where the Minnesota Timberwolves hosted the Utah Jazz. The visitors’ 114-104 victory was crowned by Anthony Edwards with a thunderous slam-dunk over the pitiful John Collins in the third quarter. Both players suffered injuries, Edwards (32, 25 after the break) had a dislocated finger repaired and Collins was taken out of the game with a suspected concussion. The T-Wolves (47-21) remain hot on the heels of West-leading OKC (47-20).
Russell leaves Kobe behind
The Los Angeles Lakers with superstar LeBron James did their duty and defeated the Atlanta Hawks (30-38) by a clear 136:105 (73:59). However, they had to put up with a similarly spectacular dunk as the Jazz: Jalen Johnson (25) leapt over Austin Reaves with a long run-up to sink the ball with full force.
“King” James notched up 25 points and ten assists on the evening, while D’Angelo Russell (27) increased his season’s three-point haul to 183 with six successful shots, setting a new Lakers record. The old record was held by franchise legend Kobe Bryant (180, 2005/06). The Lakers (37-32) remain in ninth place in the West and are two wins behind sixth place because the Sacramento Kings (39-28) defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 121-111.
