Knicks block Lakers, LeBron at the finish

NEW YORK — LeBron James drove left, the No. 4 scorer in NBA history needing a basket to beat the worst team in the league.

Defending him was a journeyman who hadn’t even gotten off the Knicks’ bench in a month.

James’ shot didn’t go in. Didn’t even get to the rim.

Mario Hezonja blocked James’ shot with 2.3 seconds to play, allowing New York to complete a late rally and beat the Los Angeles Lakers 124-123 on Sunday.

“To beat a great player, sometimes you’ve got to do the unexpected and you’ve got to make big plays,” Knicks coach David Fizdale said, “because you know that they’re gearing up to make a big play.”

The Lakers led by 11 with under 31⁄2 minutes remaining before the Knicks charged back largely because of their defense against James. DeAndre Jordan also blocked one of his shots in the final minute, and James also missed a jumper with the Lakers clinging to a one-point lead.

James finished with 33 points, eight assists and six rebounds in his return after sitting out a game, but the Knicks spoiled it with a closing 13-1 burst. James shot just 4 for 15 in the final quarter.

“He just missed shots,” Hezonja said. “If you are saying that you are the reason that he is missing shots, you are an idiot.”

Actually, Hezonja was one of the reasons after getting the assignment in his return to the rotation after not playing since Feb. 13, sitting out 12 straight games.

Emmanuel Mudiay had 28 points and eight assists for the Knicks, who snapped an eight-game losing streak. His two free throws with 22 seconds remaining were the final points of the game.

Kyle Kuzma added 18 points for the Lakers, who have lost three straight and eight of nine.

Seth Wenig / Associated Press The Knicks’ Mario Hezonja blocks what could have been the winning shot by the Lakers’ LeBron James during New York’s 124-123 victory on Sunday.