Ayton and the Lakers are searching for their sixth-straight win on Friday. With a victory, they could advance to 14-4 on the year, getting a few games within the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have won all but one of their first 19 games of the season.

After Luka Doncic complained that the Lakers' NBA Cup court was slippery on Tuesday, it will not be used for Friday's game versus the Mavericks.

This ought to be a classic matchup of strength against strength: the Knicks’ potent offense, led by point guard Jalen Brunson, against the Raptors’ stingy defense. New York has missed forward OG Anunoby, one of the league’s most versatile defenders, who has been sidelined since Nov. 14 because of a strained left hamstring.

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James spoke about helping his son, Bronny James, with the NBA, and him improving his skills.

Anthony Davis of the Mavericks will return after missing the last 14 games with a calf strain. For the Lakers, center Deandre Ayton was listed as probable after missing the second half of Sunday's game and all of Tuesday's contest with a knee contusion. He has been upgraded to available.

The Los Angeles Lakers haven't lost a game with star forward LeBron James back in the lineup after he made his long-awaited season debut Nov. 18 against the Uta