The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for answers heading into Game 2 with the Minnesota Timber Wolves.
On a flat show from La Lakers, they started the NBA playoffs in a loss at the Minnesota Timberwolves home.
The Lakers lost by a margin of 22 points, with Luka Donsic being the only player who could hold his head high with 37 points, but he still managed an unusually low one assist.
Minnesota’s strong performance was tied to their strong benches, with Naz Reid getting 23 and Donte Divinsenso adding a nine.
It had no effect on the Lakers Bench. This is one area that the team needs to fix.
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Los Angeles LakersLos Angeles Lakers
95|117
Minnesota TimberwolvesMinnesota Timberwolves
The lack of influence from La Lakers supporting the cast was summarised by recent influences by rookie Dalton Knecht.
Dalton Knecht, who made his NBA playoff debut, was given the opportunity to play a three-minute game one.
In the third minute for Dalton Knecht, he scored five points and managed three rebounds.
Yes, this may have come at the end of the matchup at “Garbage Time”, but it was managed to produce by a number of Laker starters, multiple lineups, and Jaxson Hayes scored only one point.
Dorian Finney Smith scored only three points in the 32nd minute, Gabe Vincent scored just three points in 25, and Vanderbilt scored two points in the 14th minute.
Finney-Smith is usually a reliable contributor, but his total statistics were 3-2-3 and Vincent 3-0-1.
Knecht’s score highlighted their inefficiency and his courage to score shots and make him feel his presence.
La Lakers head coach JJ Redick knows that Dalton Knecht could become his secret weapon in the playoffs.
He spoke before the series and said that Knecht could win “multiple” playoff games in his team.
Redick was clearly hoping to use Knecht as an additional wrinkle to later complicate the opponent’s series. However, given his players are very flat in Game 1, he may need to look at him in Game 2.
As the Lakers are looking for answers after an offensively flat show, Dalton Knecht offers a bold solution if Redick is brave enough.