LOS ANGELES — Dalton Knecht created quite a buzz after connecting on his fourth consecutive 3-pointer, sending the entire Lakers crowd into a state of excitement.
The young Lakers player, however, gave a nod to basketball history with his gesture, reminiscent of Michael Jordan’s iconic shrug during the 1992 NBA Finals.
“I was talking to Rui (Hachimura) about needing a 3-point celebration,” Knecht explained. “I wasn’t sure what to do, so I just threw up the shrug.”
Knecht’s stunning performance raised eyebrows among NBA fans who now find themselves questioning how he fell to the Lakers as the 17th pick in the previous summer’s draft.
In a thrilling match against the Utah Jazz, Knecht exploded for 37 points, including nine successful 3-pointers, leading to a 124-118 Lakers victory and tying the record for the most points by a rookie in a single game.
The rookie found his rhythm in the third quarter, nailing four straight 3s, alongside three successful free throws and adding another 3-pointer early in the fourth period.
“I just got in a groove,” Knecht remarked. “My teammates were finding me, always looking for me. They really made it easy; I just had to get open and make the shot.”
In that third quarter alone, he registered 21 points and accounted for 21 consecutive points for the Lakers. Despite no further scores in the game, his contributions firmly put Los Angeles in a position for an unassailable lead.
“He was phenomenal tonight,” said Anthony Davis. “When he’s on fire like that, it’s a special viewing experience. His shooting definitely energizes us.”
Knecht has started the last four games for the Lakers and has performed remarkably well in this enhanced role, averaging 24.3 points per game while achieving an impressive 21 out of 31 from beyond the arc.
For years, the Lakers had been searching for a reliable shooting option to complement stars Davis and LeBron James. Though the current season is still in its early stages, only 14 games in, Knecht seems to be the perimeter shooter the team has long sought.
“His shot-making brings a spark to our game,” coach JJ Redick commented. “It’s not just about scoring; it’s an energizing force for our entire group.”
When Knecht gets hot, he energizes his teammates and evokes memories of Redick’s own experience as a sharpshooter during his 15-year NBA career.
“It’s a flow state,” Redick expressed. “You stop overthinking, and you find this perfect rhythm. The ball feels weightless, and it seems like everything is destined to go in.”
With an impressive 10-4 start to the season, Knecht is quickly establishing himself as a crucial player within the Lakers’ rotation. The team is currently on a six-game winning streak, their longest in nearly four years.
Knecht’s rise has led to second-guessing among several NBA front offices about how he slipped to the 17th pick. Initially, concerns centered around him being 23 years old, following his extensive college career, and doubts about his defensive skills.
However, these concerns seem increasingly misguided as Knecht continues to demonstrate his prowess as a late-blooming talent who played two years at junior college, followed by two seasons at Northern Colorado, before finally transferring to Tennessee for his final collegiate year.
In his time with the Volunteers, he was named an All-American and won SEC Player of the Year, averaging an impressive 21.7 points per game. His performance had certainly caught the attention of many, including Lakers stars James and Davis, with teammate Austin Reaves even establishing a friendship via text before Knecht’s draft selection.
“I never thought he would drop to us,” James admitted. “I was sure it was impossible. I have no idea how it happened, but I’m incredibly thankful that he’s here. I knew what we were getting when he fell to 17.”