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New York Knicks: Who stepped up against Lakers in first win of 2019?

By Rob Wolkenbrod

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks drives on a falling Josh Hart #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, as Enes Kanter #00 looks on, during a 119-112 Knicks win at Staples Center on January 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 04: Trey Burke #23 of the New York Knicks drives on a falling Josh Hart #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, as Enes Kanter #00 looks on, during a 119-112 Knicks win at Staples Center on January 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks Mario Hezonja (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
New York Knicks Mario Hezonja (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks finally snapped their losing streak, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers on the road. Who stepped up?

Entering Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, the New York Knicks endured an eight-game losing streak. They only won two in December, highlighting the struggles of this group’s 2018-19 season.

The Knicks played competitively against the Denver Nuggets, but against a LeBron James-less Lakers, they won, 119-112, in a come from behind effort on the road.

It was a win that took more than one player’s efforts, including surprise contributions from a handful of players. This brought New York to a 10-29 record, finally eclipsing the double-digit win mark.

Who stepped up to make this happen? Let’s take a look:

Mario Hezonja

Stat Line: 10 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 3-for-4 shooting, 1-for-2 on three-pointers

Mario Hezonja had drifted to the end of the bench since leaving the starting lineup, where he struggled offensively. The New York Knicks barely received 30 percent shooting from the fourth-year forward, turning to Kevin Knox‘s scoring prowess instead.

Sitting four of the past five games, there was seemingly nowhere for Hezonja to go. However, as Knox struggled into the third quarter, Fizdale decided to make a change and reinsert the 6-foot-8 Croatian.

In maybe Hezonja’s most impressive performance since November, he posted a quick 10 points in 13 minutes, playing the final minute of the third quarter and all of the fourth. He did not previously appear in this game.

This effort helped the Knicks come back from the Lakers’ run, which featured a 33-point third quarter. It was a surprise, but a positive one, especially with someone that struggled for most of the season.

Will this guarantee Hezonja playing time? Maybe so, as Fizdale has rewarded players who rise from the end of the bench with extra minutes.

The Knicks can only use so many players, which limits Hezonja’s potential opportunity and crunches someone else’s role. Courtney Lee and Lance Thomas already don’t play, and Trey Burke only arose when Frank Ntilikina went down.

Allonzo Trier only played eight minutes in Los Angeles and has struggled since returning from a hamstring injury. Might he face impact?

Either way, Hezonja has earned an extra look. What will he make of it?

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