The Los Angeles Lakers secured their fifth consecutive win with a 104-99 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, propelling them to fourth place in the Western Conference. The game showcased strong performances from both LeBron James and rookie Dalton Knecht.
LeBron James, at 39, contributed 21 points, with two crucial three-pointers in the final minutes.. James added seven rebounds and five assists to his stat line.
“He’s a guy that wants the ball at the end of the game to hit those shots, so we should get out of his way and let him do LeBron,” Knecht said.
Dalton Knecht recorded his career-best performance with 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three-point range. The 23-year-old rookie added seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. His 11-point contribution in the third quarter helped bring his team back when they struggled and lacked energy.
The University of Tennessee product has started the last two games, filling in for the injured Rui Hachimura. His recent performances have earned praise from teammates and coaches alike.
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“That he’s been a pro for a while,” James said about Knecht’s recent performances. “His shooting, his finishes. He can get it off versus anybody. He’s 6’8-6’9 and he’s got a quick trigger, so it doesn’t take long for him to get them up.”
Anthony Davis posted 31 points and 14 rebounds. During their current five-game winning streak, James has averaged seven points on 52% shooting in fourth quarters, according to NBA.com.
Knecht has played under head coach JJ Redick, with the rookie acknowledging the support system around him: “It’s been good. I trust my shot and I work on it every single day. My teammates know that and they want me to keep shooting the ball every single game. They always look for me and JJ has got confidence in me, always calling my number and playing for me.”
The Lakers achieved this victory despite missing several key players like Rui Hachimura and Cam Reddish.
The Lakers’ fourth-place position in the Western Conference was unthinkable when the season started, especially given the lack of established supporting talent around LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Knecht’s emergence presents roster considerations for when Jarred Vanderbilt returns from offseason foot surgery.
