Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht impressed all NBA fans last night after he dropped 35 points to help the Lakers earn a 128-122 win over the Phoenix Suns. After the game, head coach JJ Redick poked fun at Knecht for doing a post-game interview, noting that it was the most he had ever heard him speak.
“That’s the most you’ve talked in your life, bro!”
Knecht was absolutely sensational last night, as he put up 35 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 2 blocks to snatch the win for the Lakers. Knecht went a staggering 10-18 from the field, 8-13 from the three-point line, and 7-8 from the free-throw line. Knecht helped decide the game for the Lakers, as he scored the last 20 of his 35 points consecutively in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Knecht’s performance sent Laker fans into a frenzy online, as they marveled at the capabilities of their newest rookie. If his performances continue at this level, Knecht will become a fan favorite in Los Angeles very soon.
Here's TWENTY STRAIGHT POINTS from Dalton Knecht in the 4Q/OT to lead the @Lakers to the #NBAPreseason win! 😈 pic.twitter.com/flBoBAXkvm
— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2024
Many have dubbed Knecht the steal of the 2024 NBA Draft, as the Lakers were able to land him with the 17th overall pick. He immediately lived up to the hype surrounding him at the NBA Summer League, where he played three games for the Lakers, and averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 41.8% from the field and 39.1% from the three-point line.
In the Lakers preseason games, Knecht has continued his impressive form and has surely earned a spot in the Lakers’ rotation next season by contributing an average of 18.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks in all five games played, while shooting 43.6% from the field and 36.0% from the three-point line.
JJ Redick revealed after the game a conversation he had with Reggie Miller, where he noted that Knecht is in the top 1% of shooters in the NBA, something Miller didn’t initially agree with.
“Reggie [Miller] and I were talking before the game and he was like, ‘It’s high praise to say he’s in the top 1% of shooters…’ Well, nah, he’s in the top 1%… That was supernatural what he just did.”
It will be interesting to see what kind of minutes JJ Redick trusts Dalton Knecht to play next season for the Lakers, especially coming off a great summer and preseason. But he might be trusted to make some big shots for the Lakers, as they have found their most impressive draft pick since Brandon Ingram.
Dalton Knecht Reflects On Incredible Night
Reporters caught up to Dalton Knecht after the Lakers’ win over the Suns and asked him about his performance. Knecht noted that he felt fully in the zone after he made his big shot over Bol Bol to cut down the lead, and revealed what LeBron James and Anthony Davis told him as the Lakers went into overtime.
“I would say it fully took over after I took the first one over Bol Bol. I felt good, and I just kept shooting in overtime. Bron and AD said ‘It’s time’, so it was just time to take over. Shoutout to my teammates, they were looking for me.”
It’s good to see the veterans on the team like LeBron James and Anthony Davis showing support to the young rookie. Knecht, much like Austin Reaves in the 2021-22 NBA season, seems poised to surprise people based on his play.
JJ Redick spoke earlier this month about how impressed he has been with Knecht’s performances so far, which indicates that he will be trusted to play big minutes for the Lakers next season.
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