Rookie Dalton Knecht hits 9 3-pointers as Lakers top Jazz
by Ryan Miller, KSL.com · KSL.comEstimated read time: 1-2 minutes
LOS ANGELES — Dalton Knecht would like you to take back all the bad things you said about his draft class.
The Los Angeles Lakers rookie turned in a scorching performance Tuesday night, hanging 37 points on the Jazz to lead the Lakers to a 124-118 win over Utah at Crypto.com Arena.
The Jazz dropped to 3-11 on the season and fell to 0-2 in NBA Cup play, which just about eliminates them from the knockout stages of the tournament.
LeBron James (26 points and 12 assists) and Anthony Davis (26 points and 14 rebounds) had fairly causal double-doubles as the Lakers controlled the game throughout. But it was Knecht who really delivered the death blows.
The rookie forward went 6-of-6 from 3-point range in the third quarter, four of which came on consecutive possessions, as he electrified the Lakers crowd. The fifth possession ended with him getting fouled on a 3-point play — you can take that as a sign the Jazz were at least finally trying to stop him.
In all, Knecht scored 37 points and was 9-of-11 from behind the arc, and his flurry in the third allowed the Lakers to build a big enough lead to overcome a late Utah rally.
The Jazz cut a 25-point fourth-quarter deficit down to 7 with 1:42 remaining, but it was a case of too little, too late.
Lauri Markkanen led the Jazz with 25 points and eight rebounds, Collin Sexton added 19, and Keyonte George and Jordan Clarkson both finished with 18 in the loss.
This story will be updated.
Related topics
Ryan Miller
KSL.com Utah Jazz reporter