In a thrilling contest in Los Angeles, Dalton Knecht showcased a remarkable performance, tying the NBA’s single-game rookie record by sinking nine 3-pointers and accumulating a career-high 37 points. The Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over the Utah Jazz with a score of 124-118, marking their sixth consecutive victory.
LeBron James contributed significantly with 26 points and 12 assists, while Anthony Davis also delivered a solid performance, scoring 26 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Austin Reaves supported the team with 17 points as the defending NBA Cup champions maintained an undefeated 7-0 record at home and moved to 2-0 in this season’s group play.
This winning streak is noteworthy, as it is the Lakers’ longest since February 2021, shortly after their championship run in the Florida bubble. In contrast, the Jazz struggled, marking their third consecutive loss. Lauri Markkanen led Utah with 25 points, with Keyonte George making a strong late-game effort by scoring 10 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, and Collin Sexton contributing nine of his 19 points during the same period.
Rui Hachimura was out for the Lakers due to a sprained ankle, while Bronny James missed the game due to a bruised heel.
A key moment in the game came during the third quarter when Knecht delivered an electrifying series of plays, hitting 3-pointers on four consecutive possessions and scoring 21 points in that quarter alone. His ninth 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter extended the Lakers’ lead to 25 points, although Utah made a late push to trim the deficit.
The significance of Knecht’s achievement is highlighted by the fact he tied the single-game rookie 3-pointer record, previously held by Rodrigue Beaubois (2010), Yogi Ferrell (2017), and George himself (2024).
Looking ahead, the Jazz will travel to San Antonio on Thursday, while the Lakers are set to host the Orlando Magic in their next match.
This victory not only underscores the Lakers’ current domination in the league, but it also introduces a promising young talent in Knecht, who appears to be making a significant impact in his rookie season. With the team performing so well together, fans have much to look forward to in the upcoming games.