Dalton Knecht has had a whirlwind of a rookie season with the Los Angeles Lakers. After getting drafted by them No. 17 overall this past summer, they agreed to trade the Tennessee alum to the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 5 (via ESPN's Shams Charania).
However, the Lakers rescinded the trade due to Hornets center Mark Williams failing his physical, which forced Knecht to return after he thought he was dealt. The unusual situation interrupted a productive rookie campaign for the 23-year-old, as he's averaging 9.6 points on 46.8 percent shooting with three rebounds in 20.6 minutes.
Regardless, Knecht put the situation behind him and is still playing well for Los Angeles, exemplified by his 32-point (13-27 FG, 5-13 3 PT) outing in its 131-126 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday.
Two of Knecht's 32 points came on a clutch dunk in the fourth quarter that put the Nuggets up 126-123. Unfortunately, the 6-foot-6, 215-pound wing hit his head after slipping off the rim.
It was a terrifying fall that looked very concerning, but Knecht was able to shake it off.
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) March 15, 2025
Following this game, the Lakers announced via their latest injury report that he is seemingly okay, as he has been listed as probable with back soreness for Sunday's game vs. the Phoenix Suns.
Knecht's Nuggets outing was his second-best game this season, as he amassed a career-high 37 points (12-16 FG, 9-12 3 PT) in the 124-118 win over the Utah Jazz on Nov. 19. The sharpshooter's nine three-pointers tied the single-game record for a rookie.
Los Angeles will still be without LeBron James (groin) and Rui Hachimura (patellar tendon) on Sunday, while Gabe Vincent (knee) and Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) are questionable. Luka Doncic (ankle) is probable.
