Is Dalton Knecht playing tonight? A look at Lakers' No. 17 pick's availability ahead of Bulls Summer League matchup
Dalton Knecht is available to play for the LA Lakers as they take on the Chicago Bulls for the consolation game of the NBA 2K25 Summer League matchup on Saturday, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. ET. The game will be nationally aired on NBA TV and can be streamed live on the NBA League Pass.
Knecht is coming off his fourth straight 19+ point game as the Lakers clinched their second summer league victory after they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-89 on Tuesday. The 17th overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft recorded 20 points, seven rebounds, one assist, and one steal in the game while shooting 43.8% from the field, including 33.3% from beyond the arc.
How has Dalton Knecht fared in the NBA Summer League so far?
Dalton Knecht made his debut for the LA Lakers when they faced the Sacramento Kings to kick off their California Classic Summer League. He concluded his first outing on the NBA stage with 12 points, two rebounds, four assists, and two steals while shooting 25.0% from the field as the Lakers fell 108-94 to the Kings.
The Lakers' 17th pick concluded the Classic League averaging 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals while shooting 30.2% from the field as the team went 0-3 in the California League.
Knecht had a significantly better start at the NBA 2K25 Summer League, which featured his best performance yet at the NBA stage as he dropped 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block against the Houston Rockets for his debut in the Lakers' second Summer League tournament.
His efficiency also took a hike in the second league, as he is currently averaging a league-leading 21.3 points along with 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He is shooting 41.8% from the field, including 39.1% from the three-point line, as the Lakers secured a 2-2 record in the NBA 2K25 League ahead of the upcoming consolation matchup.
Knecht had previously rested as the Lakers won their first Summer League game against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. However, he returned to the squad the next day, as they won their second consecutive game against the Cavaliers on Thursday.
Although his team is eliminated from the Summer League title contention, Dalton Knecht will look to help the LA Lakers finish strong with a three-game win streak as they take on the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.