_Former Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht had a night that he badly needed in Lakers’ win against the Clippers_

_Former Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht had a night that he badly needed in Lakers’ win against the Clippers_

 

It’s been a rollercoaster season for former Tennessee Vols guard Dalton Knecht. After signing a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason, Knecht has struggled to find consistent playing time and production.

 

However, on Wednesday night, Knecht had a performance that he badly needed, scoring a season-high 15 points in the Lakers’ 122-115 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.

 

Knecht, who played for the Vols from 2018-2022, has been in and out of the Lakers’ rotation this season, playing in just 15 games and averaging 4.5 points per contest. But against the Clippers, he was a sparkplug off the bench, hitting 5-of-8 shots from the field, including 3-of-5 from three-point range.

 

“It was a big confidence booster for me,” Knecht said after the game. “I’ve been working hard in practice and trying to stay ready for whenever my number is called. Tonight, I was able to make some shots and help the team win, which was a great feeling.”

 

Knecht’s performance was a welcome sight for Lakers coach Darvin Ham, who has been searching for consistent production from his bench unit.

 

“Dalton was huge for us tonight,” Ham said. “He came in and gave us a big spark off the bench, hitting some big shots and playing with a lot of energy. We need more performances like that from him going forward.”

 

Knecht’s night was not just limited to his scoring, however. He also played solid defense, helping to harass Clippers guard Paul George into a 6-of-17 shooting performance.

 

“Dalton was great on both ends of the floor tonight,” Ham said. “He’s a guy who can really guard the ball and make it tough for opposing players to get good looks. We’re going to need more of that from him as we move forward.”

 

For Knecht, the performance was a much-needed reminder that he belongs in the NBA. After a standout career at Tennessee, where he averaged 10.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game as a senior, Knecht has had to work hard to prove himself at the next level.

 

“It’s not easy being a two-way player and not knowing when you’re going to play,” Knecht said. “But I’ve been staying positive and working hard, and tonight was a great reward for that. I’m just going to keep building on this performance and see where it takes me.”

 

As for the Lakers, they’ll be looking to build on their win over the Clippers as they continue their push for a playoff spot. With Knecht providing a spark off the bench, Los Angeles may have found the boost they need to make a deep run in the postseason.

 

“Dalton’s performance tonight was huge for us,” Ham said. “We’re going to need more of that from him and the rest of our bench unit if we want to make a serious push for the playoffs.”