The Lakers’ rookie could use the Christmas game to get back on track

For a time, Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht likely had the keys to the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year in his hands. But he has since cooled off.

From mid-to-late November, Knecht was not only one of the best rookies in the NBA, but the best players overall. In a nine-game stretch, he scored 18.9 points on a scorching 52% 3-point shooting, shooting over 7.5 per game. match and hit four of them.

He would top it with a career-high 37 points against the Utah Jazz on November 19, at one point scoring 22 straight points in the team’s victory.

In 10 games since the stretch itself, however, it has been tougher sledding for Knecht.

He has only scored 5.4 points per game. game on 37% shooting overall, and he’s hit on an abysmal 13% of his threes. He has started in just half of those games, with his minutes dropping to just 19 per game. competition.

With the amount of work he racked up in college mixed with the success he’s already seen at the NBA level, there’s little doubt he can return to form as a high-impact sharpshooter alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis. It’s just a matter of when, as the Lakers likely need even more urgency than their Western Conference counterparts.

On Wednesday, the Lakers play their Christmas Day game against in-state rival Golden State. While the matchup against the Warriors is obviously a big one — with Los Angeles desperately needing wins and Christmas Day games carrying a little more weight — Knecht has never shied away from big moments. And Wednesday’s game could act as a starting shot for him to get back on track.

Should a few shots fall his way against Golden State, Knecht could very well right the ship and repeat a very open Rookie of the Year run.

The Lakers and Warriors tip off at 7pm CT tonight.

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