Dalton Knecht is proving to be a rising star! Heading into their game against the Jazz, the Lakers were a bit undermanned with Rui Hachimura sidelined due to an ankle injury. However, head coach JJ Redick once again placed Knecht in the starting lineup, a decision that continues to pay off. Known for calling the rookie a “Top 1% shooter,” Redick’s confidence was well justified as Knecht delivered a career-high 37 points, leading the Lakers to a commanding victory.
Even LeBron James and Anthony Davis were left in awe as Knecht drained nine three-pointers, helping the Lakers extend their winning streak to six games. His efficiency was remarkable—he hit 12 of 16 shots from the field, including 9 of 12 from beyond the arc, while also grabbing five rebounds.
The highlight of the night came during a stretch between the third and fourth quarters, where Knecht scored 22 consecutive points for the Lakers, effectively putting the game out of reach for Utah. Capping off his scoring blitz with a ‘Michael Jordan shrug,’ Knecht had the Crypto.com Arena buzzing. Fans erupted into a standing ovation when he was subbed out. In his third straight start in place of Hachimura, Knecht has averaged 26 points per game, making a strong case for a permanent spot in Redick’s starting rotation.
With Knecht leading the charge, the Lakers cruised to a 124-118 victory, securing their second group-stage win in the NBA Cup. Impressively, the Lakers remain undefeated in the tournament’s history, carrying over their perfect record from last season when they became the inaugural in-season tournament champions.
This victory also solidifies the Lakers’ hot start to the season, improving to 10-4 while maintaining an unblemished home record. Knecht’s impact has been significant—not just in this game but throughout the season. The rookie is averaging 9.3 points and shooting an impressive 40.4% from three. It’s clear that Rob Pelinka and the Lakers’ front office found a hidden gem when Knecht slipped to the 17th pick in the draft.
