Dalton Knecht Stats Tonight: Lakers rookie endures rough game against short-handed Philadelphia 76ers

Rookie Dalton Knecht had a tough outing during the Lakers' 116-106 win over the injury-riddled Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Friday. On a night when the Lakers excelled from beyond the arc (45.7%), Knecht struggled to find his rhythm, with his 3-point shooting notably off the mark. The former Tennessee star couldn’t quite settle into his game and he bricked open shots on multiple occasions.

Knecht missed his first seven shots from the field, including five from the 3-point range, before finally getting on the scoreboard with a simple layup in the third quarter.

Knecht ended the game with just two points, shooting 1 of 8 from the field, including 0 of 5 from beyond the arc. In his 16 minutes on the court, the Lakers rookie grabbed four rebounds and posted a plus/minus of +17.

JJ Redick has faith in Dalton Knecht

Dalton Knecht may have struggled with his shooting against the Philadelphia 76ers, but the rookie appears to have the full support of his coach, JJ Redick, who considers the first-year player among "one percent of shooters." Prior to the season, Redick praised Knecht as an elite shooter following his impressive performance in the Lakers’ preseason win over the Phoenix Suns.

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“Reggie (Miller) and I were talking about it before the game and he was like, ‘It’s high praise to say he’s in the one percent of shooters.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, he’s in the 1 percent of shooters,” JJ Redick had said.

"The thing about him is just the mentality. It’s been very obvious in pickup before the season. In training camp, thus far in games, he’s got no fear. He’s not afraid of the moment. That was a show that he put on."

With the green light from his coach to shoot whenever he has the chance, Knecht will look to bounce back when the Lakers face the Toronto Raptors on Sunday.

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