The Los Angeles Lakers entered Monday night’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers without seven rotation regulars, forcing head coach JJ Redick to expand minutes for several young players. One of them was second-year forward Dalton Knecht, who logged 25 minutes in the 115-101 defeat at Crypto.com Arena.
Knecht finished with 16 points, two steals and a 5-for-13 shooting line, including 2-of-8 from three-point range. While the numbers were uneven, Redick said he liked the energy the 24-year-old brought.
“I think he can build off this,” Redick told reporters postgame. “It wasn’t a perfect game, but he had a really good stretch. It wasn’t just the shot-making; it was the tenacity, getting out in transition. I talk to him all the time about the process, and I still have a very high belief in him.”
Knecht has bounced in and out of the rotation early in his career while searching for consistency from long range. The Lakers hope the 6-6 wing can settle into a rhythm, believing his shooting could complement the playmaking of Luka Doncic and LeBron James once the roster is healthy. His size also gives Los Angeles a chance to survive defensively when he is on the floor.
The short-handed Lakers dropped to 2-2 on the season. With Doncic, James, Marcus Smart, Gabe Vincent, Jaxson Hayes, Maxi Kleber and rookie Adou Thiero sidelined, Austin Reaves was the only available player who has previously run an NBA offense. Reaves responded with 41 points in 39 minutes, but Los Angeles still fell by 14.
Redick acknowledged the lack of ball-handling options played a major role in the loss, as the bench consisted solely of Bronny James, Nick Smith Jr. and Knecht. Even so, the coach reiterated that Knecht remains part of the Lakers’ plans while he continues to develop.
Source: Lakers Nation
