Lakers wilt late against Knicks and fall to 1-4 without LeBron James

The day started with bad news for the Los Angeles Lakers. It ended in another tough loss.

The Lakers wilted late and lost to the New York Knicks 119-112 on Friday night, falling to 1-4 without injured superstar LeBron James. The loss came hours after the team announced James will miss at least another week with a groin injury.

New York closed the game on an 11-3 run over the final four minutes to snap an eight-game losing streak. After squandering an early 17-point lead, Kevin Knox hit two free throws to put the Knicks back up 110-109 with 3:45 left. They led the rest of the way for their first victory since Dec. 14.

James remains out with a strained left groin. In a release Friday afternoon, the Lakers said he will continue to rest and be re-evaluated in one week. James will not travel with the team for games in Minnesota on Sunday and Dallas on Monday.

Second-leading scorer Kyle Kuzma also sat out Friday for the Lakers to rest a bruised back. New York took advantage of the absences and 16 turnovers by Los Angeles.

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