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March 17 (UPI) -- New York Knicks forward Mario Hezonja blocked Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James' game-winning shot attempt during the fourth quarter Sunday. With the Lakers trailing 124-123 in the final seconds, James drove left into the paint and tossed a shot up while falling away from the basket. Hezonja extended his right arm and rejected James' fade-away jumper. Knicks center DeAndre Jordan grabbed the rebound and the Knicks ran out the clock to seal the upset victory.
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The blocked shot capped the worst statistical quarter of James' illustrious career. He went 4-for-15 from the field in the final quarter of the Lakers' loss. His 11 missed shots were the most he has ever missed in a quarter, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
"It bothers me in the fact we didn't close the game out, and being the competitor that I am, it bothers me that I didn't make enough plays down the stretch," James said. "It bothers me that I didn't even get a shot up at the hoop. Of course that stuff bothers me."
Los Angeles led the Knicks by 11 points with under four minutes remaining in the fourth. The Knicks used a 13-1 run to close the game, with the Lakers shooting 0-for-6 from the floor. James accounted for four of the team's misses and had two turnovers.
James finished with 33 points (11-of-26 shooting), eight assists and six rebounds in a team-high 35 minutes.
New York (14-56) swept the Lakers this season. The defeat dropped the Lakers to 31-39 this year. They trail the Los Angeles Clippers by nine games for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference with 12 games left on their schedule.
