It was another classic Lakers game on Tuesday night – one where the headlines try to find silver linings while the scoreboard screams “y’all got cooked.” In this case, the bright spot in an otherwise brutal 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers was rookie Dalton Knecht, who turned in his best performance in months.
Yes, folks, the Lakers’ first-round pick finally cracked the 20-point mark again for the first time since November. That’s right—November. The month when people were still arguing whether the Lakers’ In-Season Tournament win actually mattered.
But back to Knecht, who took full advantage of a shorthanded LA lineup and gave fans a brief, fleeting moment of joy before reality smacked them in the face. With Anthony Davis taking a breather due to an injury, and Gabe Vincent plus Jarred Vanderbilt out, the Lakers had no choice but to unleash the Knecht Effect.
First Half: The Knecht Show (For a Hot Minute)
Knecht wasted no time getting buckets, proving that when given minutes, he knows how to put the ball in the hoop. In just over 10 minutes of first-half action, he dropped 13 points on a sizzling 4-of-5 shooting, including two perfect swishes from deep. He even cashed in all three of his free throws – an actual rarity in a Lakers uniform.
For a brief moment, it looked like LA might actually put up a fight. Knecht was moving well off the ball, sinking catch-and-shoot threes, and cutting to the rim like a guy who just realized he’s playing for an actual rotation spot.
Second Half: Garbage Time Heroics
The dream, of course, didn’t last long. The Sixers pulled away, and the Lakers slowly but surely began waving the white flag. But if you thought Knecht was done, think again.
With extended run in the second half – mostly because, let’s be real, the game was out of reach – the rookie poured in another 11 points, bringing his total to 24 for the night. He shot 4-of-8 in the half, drilling three more triples, and even grabbed four rebounds just to make the box score look extra nice.
Unfortunately, box scores don’t count style points, and Knecht finished with a rather unflattering +/- of -14. But hey, when the Lakers get smacked like this, who’s really keeping track of plus-minus?
Rising Star Nod? Cool. But Knecht Wants Wins.
Despite the Lakers’ struggles, Knecht at least got some good news recently – he earned a nod for the Rising Stars game. But while fans were ready to celebrate, the rookie himself kept it real.
“It means a lot, it’s a good accomplishment,” Knecht said postgame. “At the same time, it’s just the Rising Stars game. I’m more focused on the season than anything.”
Translation: “That’s cool, but I’d rather not be the best player on a team that’s getting cooked every other night.”
What’s Next for Knecht?
If there’s a silver lining here, it’s that Knecht is proving he belongs in JJ Redick’s rotation. With the Lakers scrambling to find reliable perimeter scoring and dealing with the never-ending saga of injuries, his emergence could be crucial.
Of course, if the Lakers’ front office decides to trade half the roster in a desperate attempt to cling to playoff hopes, all bets are off. But for now, Knecht might just be a small beacon of hope in this wild, unpredictable Lakers season.
So, congrats on the 24-piece, Dalton. Now, let’s see if the Lakers can get you some W’s to go with it.
