The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers enter Sunday’s matchup with several injury concerns that could influence rotation decisions and late-game matchups.
New York visits Los Angeles at 3:30 PM ET on March 8 at Crypto.com Arena. The game features two playoff-position teams from opposite conferences as the regular season approaches its final stretch.
The Knicks hold third place in the Eastern Conference with a 41-23 record, while the Lakers are sixth in the Western Conference at 37-24. New York won the first meeting this season, defeating Los Angeles 112-100 on February 1.
The biggest uncertainty surrounds LeBron James, who is listed as questionable with a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis. The 41-year-old forward averages 21.4 points, 7.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds across 44 games this season.
If James is limited or unavailable, the offensive burden will remain heavily on Luka Doncic. The Lakers guard leads the league’s most productive offense on the roster with 32.5 points, 8.5 assists and 7.8 rebounds per game.
Los Angeles also lists forward Maxi Kleber as questionable due to a lumbar back strain. Kleber averages 2.2 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.0 minutes and typically provides spacing and frontcourt depth.
Two Lakers players will not be available because of G League assignments. Bronny James and wing Adou Thiero are both out while playing with the team’s developmental affiliate.
For New York, the injury report centers on backcourt depth. Guard Miles McBride remains out following pelvic core muscle surgery.
McBride averages 12.9 points while shooting 42.0 percent from three-point range. His absence removes one of the Knicks’ key perimeter defenders and secondary ball handlers.
Veteran shooter Landry Shamet is listed as questionable with a cervical sprain in his neck. Shamet averages 10.1 points and shoots 41.4 percent from beyond the arc, giving New York an important spacing option off the bench.
Two-way wing Dillon Jones is out while on G League assignment.
New York’s offense continues to revolve around All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, who averages 26.2 points and 6.5 assists per game. The Knicks also rely heavily on frontcourt scoring from Karl-Anthony Towns, who posts 19.7 points and 11.9 rebounds.
The Knicks enter the game after a dominant 142-103 road victory over the Denver Nuggets on March 6. Los Angeles comes off a 128-117 home win against the Indiana Pacers.
