LeBron James shared his insights on the Los Angeles Lakers’ successful acquisition of Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick. In an exciting game against the Utah Jazz, Knecht made headlines by tying the NBA’s single-game rookie record with nine three-pointers while scoring a remarkable 37 points. The Lakers secured a 124-118 victory, marking their sixth consecutive win.
James contributed significantly with 26 points and 12 assists, while Anthony Davis matched his scoring efforts with 26 points and also grabbed 14 rebounds. The Lakers have maintained an impressive home record, now standing undefeated at 7-0 this season. Austin Reaves added a solid 17 points, helping the defending NBA champions improve to 2-0 in group play this season.
This winning streak— the first for the Lakers since February 2021— demonstrates their growing synergy and competitive edge, echoing their success in the previous championship run.
On the other side, Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 25 points, but the team has struggled recently, suffering three consecutive losses. Keyonte George had a standout fourth quarter, scoring 10 of his 18 points, while Collin Sexton contributed nine of his 19 points during that stretch.
In injury news, Rui Hachimura missed his third consecutive game due to a sprained ankle, while Bronny James sat out with a bruised heel.
A standout point in the match was Knecht’s stellar performance, where he nailed three-pointers on four consecutive possessions during the third quarter, energizing the crowd. Scoring 21 points in that period alone, he solidified his impact on the game. His ninth three-pointer gave the Lakers a 25-point lead early in the fourth quarter, though the Jazz managed to narrow the margin as time wound down.
Knecht’s nine three-pointers tie him with Rodrigue Beaubois (2010), Yogi Ferrell (2017), and Utah’s Keyonte George (2024) for the single-game rookie record.
Looking ahead, the Jazz will face the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday to conclude their four-game road trip, while the Lakers prepare to host the Orlando Magic on the same day.
This exciting development bodes well for both the Lakers and Knecht’s future, as he proves to be a valuable asset, potentially helping the team maintain its strong performances as the season progresses.