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

For a while, Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht likely held the keys to 2024-25 Rookie of the Year. But he has since cooled down.

From mid to late November, Knecht was not only one of the best rookies in the NBA, but the best player ever. In nine games, he collected 18.9 points while shooting 52% on 3-pointers, scoring over 7.5 per game and hitting four of them.

On November 19, he reached his career high of 37 points against the Utah Jazz and scored 22 consecutive points at one point in the team’s victory.

In the ten games since then, however, things have been more difficult for Knecht.

He scored just 5.4 points per game on 37% shooting overall and hit an abysmal 13% of his three-pointers. He only started in half of those games and his minutes dropped to just 19 per game.

With the wealth of work he’s accumulated in college, coupled with the success he’s already seen at the NBA level, there’s little doubt that he’ll find his form as an effective sniper alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis can return. It’s just a matter of when, as the Lakers likely need even more urgency than their counterparts in the Western Conference.

On Wednesday, the Lakers play their Christmas game against national rivals Golden State. While the game against the Warriors is obviously a big game – Los Angeles desperately needs wins and Christmas Day games carry a little more weight – Knecht has never shied away from big moments. And Wednesday’s game could serve as a launching pad for him to get back on track.

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

The Lakers and Warriors kick off tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT.

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