The Los Angeles Lakers (19-14) secured a 114-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers (11-22) on Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena, and former Vol Dalton Knecht made a notable impact in his 17 minutes of play.
Knecht contributed six points and one rebound, going 2-of-6 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free-throw line. The 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht’s performance in his early NBA career is off to a solid start.
A transfer from Northern Colorado, Knecht had an explosive season at Tennessee in 2023-24, averaging 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists. He led the Vols to an SEC regular-season championship and their second-ever Elite Eight appearance. The standout guard was also named SEC Player and Newcomer of the Year, earning consensus All-America honors and taking home the prestigious Julius Erving Award.
Knecht’s professional journey with the Lakers is just beginning, and his early contributions hint at a bright future ahead.
