The recruit of Los Angeles Lakers, Dalton Knecht, returned to the alignment of departure on Monday, recording a summit of 41 minutes of defeat on the street in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets.
Knecht produced 19 factors, 4 rebounds and an assist throughout the 111-108 defeat on the Barclays Middle. He completed by pulling 8 out of 18, together with 3 out of 9 within the vary of three factors, and was a bigger greater than 10 within the subject instead of LeBron James, which ought to lack 1 to 2 weeks with a groin damage.
The seventeenth selection has intensified to play varied roles this season, as a starter and reserve participant. He appears to settle after becoming a member of the staff after the commerce final month with the Charlotte Hornets and made progress on the bottom, mentioned coach JJ Redick.
“I believe he had what I’d describe as a typical recruit 12 months is that you’ve ups and downs,” mentioned Redick earlier than the match. “You have got neutrals. I believe that his tenacity and his battle have improved all year long. I believe that recovering it and the emotional and psychological remedy of that made him a greater and stronger participant. He can have a protracted profession of the NBA. He has a vivid future with us and we’ll want him tonight.”
The Lakers launched Knecht within the rotation after commerce with the Hornets. He had incoherent outings on his return to the staff, however appears to come back again in form after a median of 14.2 factors and 4.2 rebounds out of 42.4% of three factors in his final 5 video games.
Knecht is on common 9.2 factors and three rebounds out of 36.3% of three factors in 60 video games this season with the Lakers. It’s sixth within the Recruits class in whole (553) and has probably the most rating match by a primary 12 months participant after having recorded 37 factors on November 19.
With James who must be sidelined for the instant future, Knecht must be a candidate to take his place within the preliminary coaching. He was a key participant this season and performs a few of his greatest basketballs at a time of want for Redick and Lakers.
Notice: Sharif Phillips-Keaton of Nets Wire contributed to this story
This text initially appeared on Rookie Wire: Lakers Information: JJ Redick reveals how the recruit Dalton Knecht improved
