Dalton Knecht put on a shooting clinic Tuesday night, tying the NBA’s single-game rookie record with nine 3-pointers while scoring a career-high 37 points to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to a 124-118 victory over the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. The win marked the Lakers’ sixth straight and improved their perfect home record to 7-0.
LeBron James showcased his all-around brilliance with 26 points and 12 assists, and Anthony Davis added a double-double of 26 points and 14 rebounds. Austin Reaves contributed 17 points for the defending NBA Cup champions, who also remained unbeaten in group play at 2-0.
The Jazz, led by Lauri Markkanen’s 25 points, refused to go quietly. Keyonte George scored 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, while Collin Sexton added nine of his 19 during the same stretch. Utah outscored Los Angeles 43-29 in the final frame, trimming the lead to single digits but ultimately running out of time.
The Lakers look to extend their run in their next matchup as they take on the Orlando Magic on Thursday (10:30 PM ET). Following their strong victory tonight, let’s grade every Lakers player for his performance.
Dalton Knecht: A+
Stats: 37 points, 5 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 2 fouls, 0 turnovers, 12-16 FG, 9-12 3PT FG, 4-5 FT, 38 mins
Dalton Knecht was unstoppable, putting on a historic shooting performance with nine three-pointers, tying the NBA rookie record. His efficient 12-16 shooting, combined with his composure under pressure, anchored the Lakers’ offense. Knecht’s recent promotion to the starting lineup has provided a much-needed spark. Over the past four games, he has averaged 24.3 points while connecting on 21 3-pointers, emerging as a key catch-and-shoot threat to complement James and Davis.
Anthony Davis: A
Stats: 26 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 3 fouls, 0 turnovers, 10-15 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 6-10 FT, 34 mins
As he has done all season so far, Anthony Davis dominated on both ends, recording a double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds. He was relentless in the paint, showcasing his scoring versatility and defensive tenacity. Although he missed four free throws, his overall impact was critical in maintaining the Lakers’ lead during key stretches.
LeBron James: A
Stats: 26 points, 2 rebounds, 12 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 4 turnovers, 9-17 FG, 1-5 3PT FG, 7-11 FT, 34 mins
LeBron James orchestrated the Lakers’ offense with precision, tallying a game-high 12 assists to complement his 26 points. His leadership shone through, especially when the Jazz made their late-game push. Despite four turnovers, his ability to control the game tempo was invaluable and the calming presence he brought tonight allowed Knecht to prosper as a true catch-and-shoot star.
Austin Reaves: B
Stats: 17 points, 0 rebounds, 5 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 3 turnovers, 6-14 FG, 3-7 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 33 mins
Austin Reaves contributed 17 points and facilitated well with five assists but struggled with consistency, shooting 6-14 from the field. His three triples were timely, yet turnovers and defensive lapses hindered a higher grade. Reaves still remains a vital offensive spark for the team despite his three turnovers, and he had to settle for a backseat role tonight with Knecht ripping the net.
D’Angelo Russell: C
Stats: 8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 fouls, 4 turnovers, 2-8 FG, 0-4 3PT FG, 4-4 FT, 26 mins
D’Angelo Russell had an uneven game, scoring just eight points on poor shooting (2-8 FG, 0-4 3PT). While he distributed six assists and grabbed six rebounds, his four turnovers and lack of scoring punch hurt the team during stretches. The Lakers seem to be playing well with the point guard emerging from the bench so this could be a trend we see from Russell as he varies hot and cold.
Cam Reddish: C
Stats: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 foul, 0 turnovers, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 2-2 FT, 25 mins
Cam Reddish provided solid defensive energy with two steals and two blocks but was largely invisible offensively, scoring only four points. His limited involvement on offense keeps his impact moderate, but his defensive contributions are encouraging.
Max Christie: C
Stats: 1 point, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 fouls, 2 turnovers, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 1-2 FT, 17 mins
Christie struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just one point and failing to register a rebound or assist in 17 minutes. He did show defensive promise with two steals and two blocks, but his offensive absence was noticeable.
Gabe Vincent: C
Stats: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 3 fouls, 0 turnovers, 1-3 FG, 1-2 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 19 mins
Vincent scored only three points but managed to contribute with one assist and two rebounds. His efficiency (1-3 FG) wasn’t bad, but his foul trouble and minimal offensive impact lowered his grade.
Christian Koloko: C
Stats: 2 points, 3 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 foul, 1 turnover, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 14 mins
Koloko had a quiet game with two points and three rebounds in 14 minutes. While he made his only field goal attempt, he didn’t influence the game significantly on either end.
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