Dalton Knecht made his New York Knicks debut Wednesday night, scoring 10 points and grabbing seven rebounds in 16 minutes during the team's dominant 135-105 victory over the Chicago Bulls. The opportunity arose due to an ankle issue sidelining regular player Josh Hart.
Knecht's performance drew cheers from the Madison Square Garden crowd, particularly for a second-quarter putback dunk and a third-quarter chase-down block. Coach Miles McBride commented on Knecht's scoring ability, noting, "He's a scorer. He's not just a shooter." McBride's remarks were made with a touch of humor, acknowledging a common perception of Knecht's game.
The rookie guard had been playing with the Westchester Knicks on a two-way contract since the Knicks signed him last month, following his release by the Lakers. Knecht was originally selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft but struggled to find consistent playing time with Los Angeles.
During his rookie season with the Lakers, Knecht averaged 9.1 points in 19.2 minutes per game. His role diminished in his second year, with averages dropping to 4.2 points in 10.2 minutes. The acquisition of Luka Dončić and subsequent trade issues reportedly contributed to his reduced role.
In his Knicks debut, Knecht shot efficiently, making four of his six field-goal attempts, including two of four from three-point range.