The Los Angeles Lakers had two draft picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, as many focused so much on the No. 55 selection Bronny James, they forgot about Dalton Knecht out of Tennessee, who was taken off the board with the No. 17 overall pick.
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That is to say, in the Lakers preseason matchup vs. the Phoenix Suns Thursday night, Knecht single-handedly won the game, as he scored 20 straight points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead his team to a 128-122 victory.
In total, the 23-year-old had 35 points (10-for-18 FG; 8-for-13 3 PT), seven rebounds, two blocks, and two steals.
Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht STOLE THE SHOW scoring TWENTY STRAIGHT in the 4Q and OT leading LAL to the #NBAPreseason victory!
🔥 35 PTS
🔥 7 REB
🔥 8 3PM
🔥 10-18 FGM pic.twitter.com/WFCptZs3cd— NBA (@NBA) October 18, 2024
After making a technical free throw with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter, Knecht was the only Lakers player to score the next 20 points, which included draining five three pointers.
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
In particular, the play of the game happened when the Lakers were down by three with five seconds left, and Knecht tied it up by nailing a deep ball over 7-foot-3 Bol Bol, which ultimately sent the game into overtime.
Dalton Knecht 3PT over Bol Bol to force OT 🤯
Lakers rookie is COLD 🥶 pic.twitter.com/GGqIHBKOLJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2024
DALTON KNECHT ARE YOU SERIOUS ⁉️
SCORED THE LAKERS LAST 20 PTS IN A ROW 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DqGIphkzFK
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2024
This was reminiscent of Knecht's 39-year-old teammate LeBron James' 2007 ECF Game 5 performance vs. the Detroit Pistons.
As some might remember, 22-year-old LeBron had 25 straight points for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the fourth quarter/overtime, which resulted in a 109-107 win (5/31/07).
LeBron James scores 25 straight at just 22 years old 👑 pic.twitter.com/GYdf20JM9m
— Fastbreak Hoops (@FastbreakHoops5) August 22, 2024
Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.
Dalton Knecht is H.I.M. pic.twitter.com/np86tasUrw
— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) October 18, 2024
In view of LeBron's other new rookie teammate, his 20-year-old son Bronny, he also had his best game so far in the preseason.
LeBron coaching up Bronny on the sideline 💯 pic.twitter.com/xnDZ04XHqe
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2024
Considering that after posting the worst +/- in the entire NBA through the first few preseason games, James Jr. had a +17 in the win, which was actually the best on the entire team. In 17 minutes, Bronny contributed four points (2-for-4 FG) and two rebounds.
Bronny also received his first NBA flagrant foul on a fast break play. However, when looking at the replay, many say it appeared to be an overreaction call to say the least.
Bronny was called for a flagrant 1 on this play 👀
You agree with the call? pic.twitter.com/MTH4usOyuV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 18, 2024
Ultimately, fans got to see both rookies show out, and many noted that Knecht may have earned himself some good rotation minutes, as well as trust from his teammates moving forward.
“AD and LeBron were all super high on me and told me to take over. It’s good they had confidence in me.
I was just hooping. It was going in.”
— Dalton Knecht.#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/lOzcblo6WO
— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) October 18, 2024
In particular, Knecht put his limitless range on full display, as he is known to be a streaky shooter. Notably, there were 11 games last season, where the 6-foot-6 Tennessee senior made at least four three-pointers.
Ultimately, after putting on one of the best rookie preseason performances of all time, Knecht finally is getting the recognition he deserves, as some are already referring to him as the steal of the draft.
Dalton Knecht and Bronny James combined for 39 points to beat the Suns 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ElOKyCwv8q
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) October 18, 2024
Dalton Knecht is currently averaging the highest PPG by a rookie in the preseason in Lakers franchise history (18.0 PPG). pic.twitter.com/37uoovJhDf
— StatMamba (@StatMamba) October 18, 2024
All in all, maybe this will move him out of Bronny's shadow, who has been all over the headlines this offseason, and maybe rightfully so as he and his dad LeBron made NBA history, being the first father-son duo to ever share the court together.
The Lakers will play one more preseason game vs. the Golden State Warriors on Friday, October 18, before getting ready for their October 22 season opener vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves.
