Los Angeles Lakers small forward Dalton Knecht recently tied the NBA’s single-game rookie record with nine three-pointers. Knecht, 23, shrugged after burying his fourth consecutive three-pointer, which sent Lakers fans into a frenzy at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night. His shrug resembled Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan’s shrug after a legendary three-point storm in the 1992 NBA Finals. The Lakers defeated the Utah Jazz 124-118 in the second game of the NBA Cup’s Group Stage.
After the Lakers vs. Jazz game, Knecht told the media that his teammate, small forward Rui Hachimura, talked to him about how he needed to get a three-point celebration of his own, but he didn’t know what to do, so Dalton just gave a shrug. His words were quite interesting. Most, if not all, NBA players are known to be flashy and over-the-top. Read on for further details surrounding Knecht.
Ties Rookie Record
The Lakers won their sixth straight game, while the Jazz lost their third consecutive game. Knecht led the Lakers with a career-high 37 points and five assists, including 21 points in the third quarter on 12-for-16 shooting. The Lakers will host the Orlando Magic in a nonconference game at the Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Pacific time. The Lakers will seek their seventh straight win against a new-look Magic team, which might not be easy as the Magic had a six-game winning streak entering Wednesday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Intuit Dome at 7:30 p.m. Pacific time.
He Climbs Rookie Ladder
Knecht made a significant splash this week, which helped him start taking flight in the Kia Rookie Ladder. Like airports and credit cards, this is a busy time of the year for the NBA’s rookies. The NBA’s rookies reached or surpassed 20 points in a game in the 2024-25 NBA season’s first month, including Dalton, whose recent rise coincided with the Lakers’ six-game winning streak.
Knecht’s recent shrug after the Lakers’ win over the Utah Jazz might’ve answered the question, “How did he fall to the Lakers in last summer’s draft?” Knecht reportedly got in a groove in the third quarter and followed up with a three-pointer to open the fourth quarter. His formidable shooting skill showed a positive sign of the Lakers’ future.
Dalton Knecht’s Career
Dalton Knecht’s career could be a discussion topic in basketball circles, whether one follows the Lakers or not. Los Angeles selected him with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft out of Tennessee. However, he only moved into the Lakers’ starting lineup four games ago. Despite the later-than-expected start, Knecht’s increased role seems to be working well for the Lakers, who have been looking for a catch-and-shoot option to complement power forwards LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Knecht looks like a Lakers draft steal so far, and James reportedly loves it. Dalton roasted the Utah Jazz’s perimeter defense on Monday night. Meanwhile, Davis hilariously trolled his historic night when he sarcastically asked, “He was phenomenal tonight. Psh, what’d he have, 37? Couldn’t get 40.”
Davis’ hilarious trolling has a point, but an achievement is an achievement. Before Knecht’s historic night, the Fargo, North Dakota, native posted career-highs in points three times, starting with 19, then 27, and then 37. It’s too early in the 2024-25 NBA season, but he has been making a strong case to be at the top of the NBA Rookie of the Year award.
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