Knecht finished with 35 points (10-18 FG, 8-13 3Pt, 7-8 FT), seven rebounds, an assist, two steals and two blocks across 32 minutes off the bench in Thursday's 128-122 preseason win over the Suns.
It wouldn't be a stretch to say Knecht was the reason why the Lakers got the win Thursday, as the rookie drained two clutch threes nearing the end of the fourth quarter to force overtime and was constantly stepping up on offense when the team needed him the most. Knecht will open the season with a bench role for the Lakers, but based on what he did during the preseason, coach JJ Redick will have to find a way to give him consistent minutes. He's already one of the best shooters on the roster, and that's an ability that will always have value when playing alongside a great playmaker like LeBron James.