Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks injury report: Who’s playing, injured and questionable players, hea
The Los Angeles Lakers visit Madison Square Garden on February 1, 2026, to play the New York Knicks in an interconference matchup with playoff implications. Both teams are in the postseason race, which adds weight to a regular-season game.Injuries could influence rotations on both sides. Several key players are dealing with minor issues, so availability and minutes management may play a major role in how the game unfolds.
Los Angeles Lakers injury report ahead of New York Knicks matchup (February 1, 2026)
The Los Angeles Lakers have a short injury list, but two guards remain uncertain for the game.
| Player | Status | Injury |
| Adou Thiero | Out | Right MCL sprain |
| Austin Reaves | Questionable | Left calf strain |
| Bronny James | Questionable / Day-to-day | Left lower-leg soreness |
If Reaves and Bronny do not play or see limited minutes, the Lakers are expected to rely on a starting lineup of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Rui Hachimura, D’Angelo Russell, and Jarred Vanderbilt. The team’s main scoring options are still available.
New York Knicks injury report vs Los Angeles Lakers (February 1, 2026)
New York is dealing with several injuries, particularly among guards, while also watching the status of its centers.
| Player | Status | Injury |
| Miles McBride | Out | Ankle |
| Jalen Brunson | Questionable / Game-time decision | Ankle |
| Josh Hart | Questionable | Ankle |
| Mitchell Robinson | Questionable | Ankle |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Questionable | Back |
If Brunson and Hart are limited, the Knicks may depend more on OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Immanuel Quickley to support the offense and stabilize the rotation.
Los Angeles Lakers vs New York Knicks Recent results and all-time history
The Los Angeles Lakers have had better results in this matchup in recent years and also lead the overall series.
Last three seasons (including 2025-26):
| Team | Wins |
| Lakers | 3 |
| Knicks | 1 |
Los Angeles has also won the last two meetings, including a close game earlier this season.All-time regular-season series:
| Team | Record |
| Lakers | 175 wins |
| Knicks | 126 wins |
Playing at home gives New York a chance to improve that record.
Los Angeles Lakers season profile
The Lakers run much of their offense through LeBron and Dončić and remain one of the higher-scoring teams in the league.
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Points per game | ~116-118 |
| Field-goal percentage | ~49-50% |
| Three-point percentage | ~32-33% |
| Assists per game | ~25-26 |
| Defensive rating | Opponents scoring ~115-117 per 100 possessions |
Los Angeles shoots efficiently and moves the ball well. Defense has been steady but not among the league’s best, especially on the perimeter.
New York Knicks season profile
New York Knicks rely on defense, rebounding, and controlled offense.
| Category | Stat |
| Points per game | ~112-114 |
| Field-goal percentage | ~46-47% |
| Three-point percentage | ~35-36% |
| Defensive rating | Opponents scoring ~108-110 per 100 possessions |
| Rebounding | Strong when Towns and Robinson play |
The Knicks often slow the pace and focus on half-court execution, which can disrupt teams that prefer faster games.
Player availability could shape the game
Health may be the deciding factor. If the Lakers have their primary creators available and Reaves returns, their scoring depth could challenge a Knicks team that may be missing key players. If New York gets enough minutes from Brunson, Towns, and Robinson, its defense and rebounding could help control the tempo and limit easy scoring chances.
Matchups to watch at Madison Square Garden
LeBron has delivered strong performances in New York throughout his career, making his appearances there notable. A possible matchup between Dončić and Brunson would feature two high-usage guards who handle much of their team’s offense. Frontcourt depth is another area to watch. If the Knicks are short on size, the Lakers could try to take advantage during those stretches.With both teams managing injuries, the result may come down to which side maintains its rotation and executes more consistently.
