Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Pops for 15 points from bench
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Knecht registered 15 points (7-12 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), one rebound, one assist, two blocks and one steal in 36 minutes during Wednesday's 116-115 win over the Timberwolves.
Knecht's role should continue to expand, given the state of the Lakers' roster. If the persistent trade rumors surrounding Knecht had any truth to them, the organization is likely relieved that they didn't pull the trigger. The team is snake-bit with injuries, and support players like Knecht will be essential in keeping the team above water for the next few weeks.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Steps up with 16 points
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Knecht finished with 16 points (5-13 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-4 FT), two rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 25 minutes during Monday's 122-108 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Knecht didn't play at all on Opening Night, but his minutes have been trending up for three straight games due to injuries. He's shooting 37.5 percent from the field overall, but he did have some nice moments in Monday's loss. If the Lakers get some reinforcements back for Wednesday's game against Minnesota, Knecht could again be facing an uphill battle for playing time.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Didn't play season opener
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Knecht didn't see the floor during the regular-season opener against the Warriors on Tuesday.
Knecht was expected to be part of head coach JJ Redick's rotation to get the 2025-26 campaign underway. However, he and Bronny James (ankle) did not record any minutes on the floor, raising questions about their roles this season.
The Lakers picked up Knecht's $4.2 million team option for the 2026-27 season on Tuesday, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
The transaction was mostly a formality and keeps Knecht on the Lakers' books through his third NBA season. Although Knecht didn't produce eye-popping stat lines in the preseason, multiple reports have suggested that head coach JJ Redick has been impressed by the second-year wing during training camp. With LeBron James (sciatica) sidelined to begin the season, Knecht should have the opportunity to be a regular part of the Los Angeles rotation, though he may not get enough minutes to be much of a fantasy factor.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Coming off bench Friday
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Knecht won't start in Friday's preseason game against the Kings, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
With Austin Reaves (rest) returning to action, Knecht will move to the second unit in Los Angeles' preseason finale. The second-year swingman is likely to compete for playing time with Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia off the bench this season.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Starting Sunday
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Knecht is part of the starting lineup for Sunday's preseason game against Golden State, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.
Knecht has gone 5-for-21 from the field through two exhibition games, but he'll draw his first start of the preseason Sunday. Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt and Deandre Ayton make up the rest of the starting five.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Available Monday
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Knecht (calf) is available and starting in Monday's Summer League game against the Clippers, Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com reports.
Knecht was diagnosed with a right calf cramp after Thursday's Summer League loss to the Mavericks, during which he left in the fourth quarter and did not return. The 24-year-old was later ruled out for Saturday's win over the Pelicans, though he will return to game action Monday.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Won't play vs. New Orleans
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Knecht (calf) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pelicans, Dave McMenamin of ESPN.com reports.
Knecht dealt with cramping in his right calf during Thursday's game against the Mavericks. Although that doesn't seem to be a big concern for the second-year sharpshooter, the Lakers have decided to rest him for Saturday's Summer League matchup in Las Vegas.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Avoids serious injury
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Knecht was diagnosed with a right calf cramp after leaving Thursday's Summer League game against the Mavericks, Dan Woike of The Athletic reports.
It initially looked as though Knecht was getting his right knee checked out on the bench, but the Lakers noted after the exhibition that he was dealing with a cramp. He'll presumably be available for Saturday's matchup against the Pelicans, though the team likely won't confirm his availability until closer to tipoff.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Won't start vs. Minnesota
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Knecht is not in the starting lineup for Game 1 against the Timberwolves on Saturday, Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The Lakers rested most of their regulars for the regular-season finale against the Trail Blazers on April 13, so Knecht enjoyed a sizable uptick in minutes in that matchup, but that won't be the case in this postseason opener. The rookie out of Tennessee can add some much-needed floor spacing on offense, but his fantasy upside will be severely limited due to his bench role.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Scores 27 points in starting role
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Knecht ended with 27 points (9-21 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds and two blocks over 37 minutes during Sunday's 109-81 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Knecht made the most of this spot start Sunday and posted an impressive line, finishing among the leading scorers for the Lakers in what turned out to be a blowout loss. The Lakers locked up the third seed in the Western Conference standings and will begin their playoff run against the Timberwolves on Saturday. Knecht figures to hold a role off the bench in the postseason, so fantasy managers who decide to trust him shouldn't expect this kind of stat line on a regular basis. He finished the regular season with averages of 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game, shooting 37.6 percent from three in 78 appearances (16 starts).
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: In starting lineup Sunday
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Knecht will be in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Knecht will be a starter for the 16th time during his rookie campaign Sunday. The talented scorer has averaged 16.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, shooting 46.5 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from deep while in the first unit for Los Angeles.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Efficient in limited run
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Knecht amassed six points (2-4 FG, 2-3 3Pt), one rebound, one assist and one steal in seven minutes during Saturday's 146-115 loss to the Bulls.
Knecht was efficient during his extremely limited run in garbage time of a blowout loss. The rookie has received increased playing time of late due to LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (knee) being sidelined, though with both of them returning to action Saturday, Knecht could continue to receive fewer minutes moving forward.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Hits for 17 in spot start
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Knecht amassed 17 points (5-14 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 31 minutes during Thursday's 118-89 loss to the Bucks.
With almost the entire Lakers starting five in street clothes, including LeBron James (groin) and Luka Doncic (ankle), Knecht tied fellow rookie Bronny James for the team scoring lead. Knecht has found a rhythm in March, scoring in double digits in nine of 11 contests (three starts) while averaging 14.4 points, 3.6 boards, 2.7 threes and 1.5 assists and shooting 41.1 percent from long distance.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Joining starters Thursday
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Knecht is starting Thursday's game against the Bucks, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
Knecht will run with the first unit while the majority of the LA starters are sidelined for the second night of a back-to-back set. The Tennessee product put together a big night in his last opportunity to start last Friday against the Nuggets, putting up 32 points in 37 minutes of action.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Keeps producing off bench
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Knecht had 13 points (4-10 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 3-4 FT), three rebounds, three assists and one block across 20 minutes during Monday's 125-109 win over San Antonio.
Knecht has been putting up solid numbers off the bench, and the rookie out of Tennessee continues to make a case to see regular second-unit minutes. Knecht has scored in double digits in seven of his last nine appearances, averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in that stretch while shooting 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Available Sunday
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Knecht (back) is available for Sunday's game against the Suns, Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports.
As expected, Knecht has been upgraded from probable to available. On Friday, the sharpshooter posted 32 points (13-27 FG, 5-13 3Pt) in 37 minutes as a starter during a 131-126 loss to Denver. However, with Luka Doncic and Dorian Finney-Smith back in action, Knecht will operate off the bench Sunday.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Probable for Sunday
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Knecht is probable for Sunday's game against the Suns due to back soreness.
Knecht contributed 32 points (13-27 FG, 5-13 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and one assist over 37 minutes during Friday's 131-126 loss to the Nuggets, and he continues to prove he can be relied upon when needed. The rookie carries a probable tag, but that suggests he should be available to suit up Sunday.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Scores 10 points off bench
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Knecht amassed 10 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt), five rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes during Thursday's 126-106 loss to the Bucks.
Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves combined for more than half of the team's points in this loss to Milwaukee, and Knecht was the lone other player who scored in double digits. The rookie sharpshooter has been turning things around following a subpar stretch in February. He's scored in double digits in all but one of his six appearances in March despite starting just once in that span.
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Lakers' Dalton Knecht: Gets starting nod Monday
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Knecht will start in Monday's matchup with Brooklyn, Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet reports.
With LeBron James (groin), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) and Rui Hachimura (knee) all ruled out, Knecht will fill in for the short-handed Lakers as they take on the Nets. In 12 games this season as a starter, Knecht averaged 14.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.1 blocks.
