Rookie sensation Dalton Knecht is stealing the spotlight with his unreal 35-point game! Find out how he's winning over LeBron and the Lakers!
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht has quickly turned heads this preseason, showing fans why he was such a steal as the No. 17 pick in the draft. In an impressive preseason game against the Phoenix Suns, Knecht lit up the scoreboard with an astounding 35 points, including a jaw-dropping eight three-pointers. This performance has left fans buzzing, eager to see how he'll fare once the regular season kicks off. With numbers like that, it’s no surprise everyone is jumping on the Knecht bandwagon!
While the Lakers were originally apprehensive about starting a rookie over established stars such as LeBron James and Anthony Davis, they are finding it hard to ignore Knecht's breakout potential. His ability to score seamlessly has been welcomed by these veteran players, who were seen providing guidance and motivation from the sidelines during the game. Knecht’s resilience was on full display when he scored 20 straight points, heroically pulling the Lakers into a nail-biting overtime against the Suns. Even NBA superstar Devin Booker acknowledged his shooting prowess, saying, “He can shoot the peel off the ball!” Talk about a rookie-welcome committee!
Things took an interesting turn for ESPN analyst JJ Redick, who found himself with a tough decision to make after the Lakers' preseason games. With a wave of injuries sweeping through the roster, coupled with Knecht’s impressive performances, Redick may be “forced” to reconsider his choices sooner than he anticipated. It's a classic case of SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST, where proven veterans have to make way for the new blood who's already showing that he can keep up with the legends on the court.
As for Knecht, the excitement doesn’t just stem from his high stats; it also resonates through the walls of the Staples Center, where fans are likely dreaming of championship runs thanks to their rookie superstar. Rumor has it that LeBron shared a memorable two-word piece of advice with him right before the game: "Keep shooting." It seems this rookie's journey might just lead to some wild moments this season!
For all you basketball enthusiasts, here's a fun fact: During his college career at Tennessee, Dalton Knecht ranked among the top 10 in three-point shooting percentage in the SEC! And did you know that the Lakers have a rich history of successfully developing raw talent into superstar players? With a little faith and teamwork, Knecht might just follow the footsteps of legends like Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson!
Dalton Knecht, who fell in the draft to the Lakers at No. 17, made eight three-pointers while scoring 35 points in preseason defeat of the Suns.
How did Dalton Knecht do Thursday in the Lakers preseason game vs. the Suns? Here's a look at his box score:
"He can shoot the peel off the ball," Devin Booker said.
As Dalton Knecht was amidst his breakout performance against the Suns, LeBron James and Anthony Davis were right beside him pushing him along.
LeBron James and Anthony Davis had a message for Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht before his unreal finish vs. the Phoenix Suns.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht, the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, entered Thursday's game against the Phoenix Suns shooting 10 for 37 (27%) ...
It's an uphill battle to argue that a team with Anthony Davis and LeBron James should prioritize an unproven rookie over a veteran who can help more in the ...
JJ Redick with the wave of injuries and Dalton Knecht's performances is being forced to make a decision he didn't want to make so soon.
Knecht will not play in Friday's preseason finale versus the Warriors due to a knee issue, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.