Lakers Open Trip Tonight at New York : Abdul-Jabbar Squares Off With Knicks’ Ewing for the First Time

The Lakers haven’t had an extended trip since they began the season with four consecutive road games, but tonight they will start a difficult stretch of four games in five nights when they play the New York Knicks in Madison Square Garden.

It will be the first meeting of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Knick rookie Patrick Ewing.

After playing the Knicks, the Lakers must travel Wednesday to Milwaukee and play the Bucks that same night. The Lakers also will make stops Friday night in Cleveland and Saturday night in Washington before returning to Los Angeles for Christmas.

The Lakers, who are 20-3, have two other road games, at San Antonio and Sacramento, before playing in the Forum again, Dec. 29 against Golden State.

New York’s 7-17 record ties the Knicks with Phoenix and Indiana for the worst in the NBA, but the Knicks got some encouraging news Monday.

Bernard King, the injured defending scoring champion, said at a press conference here that he may be able to play again this season. King tore ligaments in his right knee last March and has not played since.

“I can’t speculate when I’ll return,” King said. “I’m hoping I’ll be able to play this year, but I have a long way to go.”