Dalton Knecht’s ridiculous three-pointer against Bol Bol had LeBron James and Anthony Davis under their spell

The games don’t count yet, but Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht announced to the NBA on Thursday night that he’s ready to make an impact.

In 32 minutes off the bench, Knecht scored 35 points on 10 of 18 shooting, including eight from downtown, while adding seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He scored 20 of the Lakers’ final 22 points as they forced overtime and beat the Phoenix Suns 128-122 in the preseason.

Knecht didn’t just throw casual, open looks from the corner. He hit two three-pointers over Suns’ 7’3″ center Bol Bol, including the game-winning triple with 5.1 seconds left.

That three-pointer, which capped Knecht’s 12-point fourth quarter, prompted Lakers teammates LeBron James and Anthony Davis to jump off the bench to celebrate his late-game upset.

You don’t see this type of reaction too often from NBA All-Stars in the preseason.

Knecht, the No. 17 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has scored at least 19 points in his last three preseason tests.

“It was an incredible performance,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the game. “…The only thing special about him is his mentality. That was very clear in the preparation (games) before the season, in the training camp and in the games so far – he is not afraid. He’s not afraid of the moment.”

“That was a show he put on.”

The Lakers have one more preseason test — Friday against the Golden State Warriors — before beginning their regular-season schedule on Tuesday. But Knecht, fresh off a 35-point scorcher, appears more than ready to become a fixture in Redick’s rotation as a rookie.