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Knicks prepare to face Lakers and rival LeBron James in New York

One game before LeBron James’ annual visit to Madison Square Garden, the New York Knicks were reminded once again that Jalen Brunson is the superstar they’ve been looking for since James entered the NBA.

Brunson will aim to help the Knicks stay perfect on their five-game homestand when New York faces the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night in the first meeting between the two teams this season.

The Knicks have been off since Wednesday, when Brunson joined an elite group of franchise legends by scoring 30 points and adding 15 assists in a 122-112 win over the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers continued their six-game road trip Thursday, defeating the Washington Wizards 134-96.

Brunson’s historic performance added to his standout season as the Knicks’ captain in his third year with the team. Named an All-Star starter for the first time on Jan. 23, Brunson is averaging 25.9 points and a career-high 7.5 assists per game. The Knicks are on track to make the playoffs for the third consecutive season after only reaching it once in the nine seasons before Brunson’s arrival.

Brunson was particularly impressive on Wednesday, scoring 18 points in the third quarter as the Knicks took control, and adding seven assists in the fourth quarter as they pulled away. He became the fourth player in franchise history to record at least 30 points and 15 assists in a game, the first since Nate Robinson in 2009.

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson drives past Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Johnson in the second quarter

“He was just special,” said Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns. “‘Cap’ is special. Everyone knows. We needed him to score tonight, we needed him to do what he does best. And he did that. That’s why he’s special. Whenever his name is called in the biggest moment, he’s ready.”

No one has been as consistently ready as LeBron James, who turned 40 in December. Despite his age, he is averaging 23.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 9.0 assists in his 22nd NBA season, with nine triple-doubles. On Thursday, James played just over 26 minutes in the Lakers’ win over the Wizards, finishing with 24 points and 11 assists.

The Lakers led by 33 points at halftime and won by 38. This was their seventh win in the last nine games, and they were in fifth place in the Western Conference as of Friday.

“Don’t overlook the fact that, by the way, he’s 40 years old in Year 22 with every accolade under the sun and he comes out on a Thursday night in a non-nationally televised game against a team that’s really struggling and he’s the tone-setter,” said Lakers coach JJ Redick.

James has averaged 26.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 7.3 assists in 59 games against the Knicks.

In New York, the Rangers acquire center J.T. Miller from the Canucks in a multiplayer trade

The New York Rangers traded for veteran center J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks in a multiplayer deal on Friday night.

In exchange, the Rangers gave up center Filip Chytil, defenseman Victor Mancini, and a 2025 conditional draft pick to Vancouver. New York also received defensemen Jackson Dorrington and Erik Brannstrom.

The Canucks had been expected to trade either Miller or Elias Pettersson due to a reported disagreement between the two. Miller was unexpectedly scratched before Vancouver’s 5-3 loss to Dallas on Friday, and the teams announced the trade during the game.

“I want to thank J.T. for his time here in Vancouver,” said Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin in a statement. “J.T. was a passionate impact player and good leader for our hockey team. Moving him was not an easy decision but we are pleased with our return from the Rangers. Both Filip and Victor are good additions for our club and we are excited to see what they bring to us on the ice.”

Miller, 31, was drafted by the Rangers with the 15th overall pick in the 2011 NHL draft. He spent parts of six seasons in New York before being traded to Tampa Bay along with defenseman Ryan McDonagh on February 26, 2018.

Miller, now in the second year of a seven-year, $56 million contract, will help strengthen the Rangers lineup, which has struggled after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last season and reaching the Eastern Conference final. Miller has nine goals and 26 assists in 40 games with Vancouver this season.

“When you’re in this business long enough, there’s going to be things like that,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said about the trade. “Millsey was a big part of the team. I’m sure he’s emotional… Millsey’s played great hockey for the Canucks and myself. Obviously, a heart-and-soul guy. I think he’s going to do well over there.”

Pettersson didn’t want to talk about his issues with Miller or what it means for him going forward.

“I don’t want to get into that,” he said. “All we can do is look forward.”

Later, the Canucks acquired defenseman Marcus Pettersson—no relation to Elias—and forward Drew O’Connor from Pittsburgh in exchange for forward Danton Heinen, defenseman Vincent Desharnais, prospect Melvin Fernstrom, and the draft pick they received from the Rangers in the earlier deal.

New York is currently in 13th place in the East, five points behind Columbus for the conference’s second wild card. Vancouver is in ninth place in the West, just one point behind a wild-card spot.

For his career, Miller has 247 goals and 427 assists in 839 games with the Rangers, Lightning, and Canucks. He also has 12 goals and 44 assists in 91 playoff games. Miller had a career-high 37 goals and 66 assists last season, setting personal bests with 103 points, 40 power-play points, nine game-winning goals, and 217 hits.

During his first time with the Rangers, Miller scored 72 goals and had 100 assists in 341 games.

Chytil, 25, was selected by the Rangers with the 21st overall pick in the 2017 draft. He has 75 goals and 89 assists in 378 games, including 11 goals and nine assists in 41 games this season.

“Heard some really good things,” Tocchet said about Chytil. “I heard he’s very excited to come. Mancini I hear is a really big defenseman, young, that can play. Yeah, I think there’s some stuff to work with.”

Marcus Pettersson has 14 goals and 119 assists in 444 games for Anaheim and Pittsburgh. O’Connor has 24 goals and 26 assists in 157 games for the Penguins.

Heinen has 93 goals and 137 assists in 538 games for Boston, Anaheim, Pittsburgh, and Vancouver. Desharnais has one goal and 15 assists in 114 games.

Mancini, 22, made his NHL debut earlier this season, scoring one goal and adding four assists in 15 games with the Rangers. He also had three goals and seven assists in 23 games for Hartford in the AHL.

Brannstrom, 25, has 10 goals and 67 assists in 294 games. Dorrington, 20, was drafted by Vancouver in the sixth round of the 2022 draft.