The Knicks have been rolling with 5 consecutive wins, even with a downturn in manufacturing from 3-point vary by All-Star heart Karl-Anthony Cities over that span.
Cities had been taking pictures a career-best 44.9 p.c from lengthy distance by means of Jan. 13 earlier than sitting out two video games with a sprain and bone chip in his proper thumb.
Cities nonetheless leads all Knicks regulars at 42.4 p.c, however he has missed 15 of his final 18 makes an attempt from past the arc in the course of the successful streak getting into Saturday night time’s dwelling recreation in opposition to the Lakers, together with an 0-for-4 displaying in Wednesday’s win over the Nuggets.
Kevin McCullar Jr., the Knicks’ second-round choose (56th general) out of Kansas, made his skilled debut Thursday night time for G League Westchester following a collegiate knee harm.
The 6-foot-6 ahead scored 10 factors on 4-for-9 taking pictures in 16 minutes in a loss to the Osceola Magic.
“Man, after an extended yr, it felt good to be again on the market competing!” the 23-year-old McCullar posted on X. “God is so good.”
Anthony Davis (belly pressure) and Christian Wooden (knee) are out for the Lakers.
Dorian Finney-Smith (shoulder) and Gabe Vincent (knee) are questionable, whereas LeBron James (knee) and Rui Hachimura (calf) are possible.
Josh Hart (proper knee soreness) is listed as questionable once more for the Knicks.
Seldom-used rookie Pacome Dadiet is out with a sprained toe.
The Knicks’ bench has supplied a pleasant raise in the course of the group’s successful streak.
Miles McBride has netted 26 factors over the previous two video games, with Valuable Achiuwa totaling 22 and Cam Payne 18 within the wins earlier this week over the Grizzlies and the Nuggets.
Landry Shamet additionally has been part of a nine-man rotation in all 5 video games, notching a season-high 9 factors final Saturday in opposition to the Kings.