From SEC Standout to NBA Sensation: Dalton Knecht Lights Up Crypto.com Arena
Dalton Knecht played a key role in the Los Angeles Lakers’ commanding 117-96 victory over the Boston Celtics on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers improved to 24-18, while the Celtics dropped to 31-14 with the loss.
In just 14 minutes on the floor, the former Tennessee standout contributed 13 points and grabbed four rebounds. Knecht was highly efficient, hitting 5 of his 7 field goal attempts and making 3 of 4 three-pointers. His performance demonstrated why the Lakers selected him with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Before joining the Lakers, Knecht transferred from Northern Colorado to Tennessee, where he played during the 2023-24 season under head coach Rick Barnes. During his lone season with the Vols, Knecht put up impressive numbers, averaging 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. His leadership helped propel Tennessee to a Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular-season title and a historic Elite Eight appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Knecht’s efforts did not go unnoticed, as he was named the SEC Player of the Year and SEC Newcomer of the Year for the 2024 season. His remarkable achievements earned him consensus All-America honors, and he was also the recipient of the prestigious Julius Erving Award, given to the nation’s top small forward.
His strong performance in Thursday’s game serves as a glimpse into the potential that Knecht has brought to the NBA, and his rapid adaptation to the Lakers’ lineup bodes well for the team as the season progresses.
