The Los Angeles Lakers host the New York Knicks at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday afternoon in a regular-season game. With the regular season entering its final month, both teams are locked in a battle for playoff positioning. The Knicks are chasing the second seed in the East, while the Lakers are fighting to avoid the Play-In tournament.
New York enters the game at 41–23, currently holding the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks have been arguably the hottest team in the league, winning seven of their last eight games, including a 39-point blowout victory over the Nuggets on Friday. Behind the playmaking of Jalen Brunson and a defense that has allowed just 101.8 points over their recent stretch, New York looks to sweep the season series against Los Angeles.
The Lakers arrive at 38–25, currently sitting sixth in the Western Conference. While the Lakers have been dominant at home, winning 10 of their last 12 at Crypto.com Arena, they face a massive challenge today as they look to overcome the absence of their veteran leader, LeBron James. Without the four-time NBA champion, MVP candidate Luka Doncic will be expected to carry a massive load.
Is LeBron James Playing vs. Knicks?
The Los Angeles Lakers have officially ruled out LeBron James for today’s contest. James is currently dealing with a left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis, which the team announced would keep him sidelined for at least this matchup.
Lakers vs. Knicks: Game Info
- Date: Sunday, March 8, 2026
- Time: 3:30 PM ET (12:30 PM PT)
- Venue: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
- TV Broadcast (Local): Spectrum SportsNet, MSG
- National Broadcast: ABC
- Live Streaming: NBA League Pass, WatchESPN
Lakers vs. Knicks Head-to-Head Record
The New York Knicks currently hold the edge in the 2025–26 season series, having defeated the Lakers 112–100 at Madison Square Garden on February 1. In that matchup, OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson dominated the perimeter, while Karl-Anthony Towns anchored the glass to neutralize the Lakers’ frontcourt.
Historically, the Lakers lead the all-time regular-season series 175–127, but the Knicks have found recent success in Los Angeles, winning three of their last four visits to Crypto.com Arena.
Projected Starting Lineups
New York Knicks
- PG: Jalen Brunson
- SG: Mikal Bridges
- SF: Josh Hart
- PF: OG Anunoby
- C: Karl-Anthony Towns
Los Angeles Lakers
- PG: Luka Doncic
- SG: Austin Reaves
- SF: Marcus Smart
- PF: Rui Hachimura
- C: Deandre Ayton
Injury Report
New York Knicks
- Miles McBride (PG): OUT (Ankle recovery)
- Landry Shamet (SG): QUESTIONABLE (Neck soreness)
Los Angeles Lakers
- Maxi Kleber (PF/C): QUESTIONABLE (Back strain)
- LeBron James (F): OUT (Left elbow contusion and left foot arthritis)
Where To Watch The Lakers vs. Knicks Across The Globe?
United States
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 3:30 PM ET
- Channel: ABC, MSG, Spectrum SportsNet
Canada
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 3:30 PM ET
- Channel: NBA League Pass, TSN
United Kingdom
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 8:30 PM GMT
- Channel: NBA League Pass, TNT Sports
Australia
- Date/Time: March 9, 2026, 7:30 AM AEDT
- Channel: NBA League Pass, ESPN
Germany
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 9:30 PM CET
- Channel: NBA League Pass, DAZN
France
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 9:30 PM CET
- Channel: NBA League Pass, beIN Sports
Spain
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 9:30 PM CET
- Channel: NBA League Pass, Movistar+
Italy
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 9:30 PM CET
- Channel: NBA League Pass, Sky Italia
India
- Date/Time: March 9, 2026, 2:00 AM IST
- Channel: NBA League Pass, JioCinema, Sports18
Brazil
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 5:30 PM BRT
- Channel: NBA League Pass, ESPN, Prime Video
Mexico
- Date/Time: March 8, 2026, 2:30 PM CST
- Channel: NBA League Pass, ESPN, Star+
Japan
- Date/Time: March 9, 2026, 5:30 AM JST
- Channel: NBA League Pass, Rakuten TV
Philippines
- Date/Time: March 9, 2026, 4:30 AM PHT
- Channel: NBA League Pass, TV5, NBA TV Philippines
Singapore
- Channel: NBA League Pass, StarHub, or Singtel
- Date/Time: March 9, 2026, 4:30 AM SGT
