Less than a minute was left in the game. The scoreboard read 107-113, with the Suns in the lead. Not again; the Lakers weren’t ready for another loss from the Phoenix side. There was no LeBron James to save them, and Anthony Davis had already played his part. However, it seemed like a familiar pattern was unfolding—another season relying heavily on their two stars. As fans grappled with the thought, Dalton Knecht drained a deep three, reigniting the hope that had started to fade.

via Imago

However, the LA side still needed 3 more points to level. Was it even possible to replicate a similar action? Well, Dalton is just a rookie, and expecting so much from him could end up in vain. Moreover, he had already shown his brilliance. Around 5 seconds remaining, jersey no. 4 hit another 3-pointer, pushing the game into overtime, where he mercilessly destroyed the Suns with his 13 points, leaving Devin Booker in disbelief. The Phoenix guard, who hadn’t considered Dalton to be a threat till then, said that he would keep an eye on the Lakers rookie from here on.

While talking to the media in the post-game conference, Booker expressed his views on Dalton. “Unbelievable,” the 4-time All-Star said. “You know he can shoot the peel off the ball and that opens up everything else for him.” So, Booker chalked out a quick plan that could help them deal with the 23-year-old in the future. “People will have to crowd him, easier to drive.” Booker further added, “I didn’t know much about him until Palm Springs but definitely someone that I have my eye on.”

Following Dalton’s 35-point performance, a majority of players would be on the same page with Booker. He stunned the Footprint Center crowd with his 8 threes and 10-of-18 shots from the field. Besides scoring massive numbers, he also grabbed 7 rebounds. After his explosive performance, Dalton spoke about a notable moment from the game.

 Dalton Knecht opens up about special moment with LeBron

During the game, Dalton shot an outstanding jumper and looked straight at LeBron, who was on the Lakers bench. It looked like something they had planned earlier. “While I was on the bench, when I was a turnover, Lebron said to just get off two and then shoot the mid-range shot,” he said after the game.

Revealing their conversation before he came on the floor, Dalton added, “He told me that next time I do that, go do that. And then I did that and then, pointed out he pointed me. So, I mean, you know, having Bron say that and then it works.” Dalton went ahead speaking highly of the 4-time champion and how much he can learn from him during their time together in the Lakers.

Dalton Knecht’s performance also set a new milestone. According to NBA reporter Dave McMenamin, Elias Sports reported that no other Lakers rookie had scored 30+ points in preseason games since 1996-97, making Knecht the first in decades to achieve the feat. If he keeps up this level of play in the Purple and Gold, more records are bound to fall. One can only hope that head coach JJ Redick is now impressed with Knecht’s shooting prowess.