Not a few NBA players encircle the date on the calendar when they will travel to face the New York Knicks. Playing at Madison Square Garden will always be a special pilgrimage, especially for a megastar like Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.

Unfortunately, for the second straight season, LeBron didn't suit up in the Mecca of Basketball due to his one-game suspension after his scuffle with Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart. The Lakers visited the Knicks on Tuesday night and suffered a 106-100 defeat.

LeBron's absence was truly felt, even for Knicks fans who have been treated to special performances by The King in the past. Lakers coach Frank Vogel said that he spoke to LeBron about missing the game and the four-time MVP admitted he was disappointed. Nevertheless, Vogel added LBJ is a classy guy “who always plays the game the right way” and didn't expound too much on the matter (via ESPN).

“He wanted to play. I don’t want to get into it more than that.

With the loss to the Knicks, the Lakers dropped to 9-10. The Purple & Gold tried to mount a comeback in the second half led by Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis, but the Knicks' huge lead in the first half was enough of a cushion.

LeBron, who just recently recovered from his abdominal injury, will return for the Lakers on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers.