Player Grades: Lakers vs. Pelicans

Grading every Lakers player’s performance from the team’s 124-118 win over the Jazz

Take a bow, Dalton Knecht.

Wherever his career goes from here, whatever heights he reaches, there won’t be many nights better than this one. The Lakers are in some flow right now as a team and Knecht has repeatedly been at the center of that in recent games, but never more so than Tuesday.

The Lakers were already playing well and had a relatively comfortable lead when Knecht exploded for 18 straight Lakers points to end the third quarter. He turned a mundane game against the Jazz into one that’ll be on the highlight reels for years to come.

Behind him, the Lakers remained unbeaten in the NBA Cup, earned their sixth straight win overall and pushed the vibes to their highest mark this season.

So, let’s dive into the win. As always, grades are based on expectations for each player. A “B” grade represents the average performance for that player.

Anthony Davis

34 minutes, 26 points, 14 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 10-15 FG, 0-1 3PT, 6-10 FT, +4

Before Dalton took over, AD was well on his way to another night where he was the best player on the floor. The Jazz had an interesting strategy of allowing him to roll to the rim uncontested for lobs repeatedly, but you have to do what you have to do to get Cooper Flagg, I guess.

Grade: A-

LeBron James

34 minutes, 26 points, 2 rebounds, 12 assists, 9-17 FG, 1-5 3PT, 7-11 FT, -5

It never really felt like LeBron shifted out of second gear on the night. Considering, though, that the Lakers controlled this game basically from start to finish, I suppose that’s a good thing.

Not need superhero LeBron at any point of a game is a rarity for the Lakers that hopefully becomes more commonplace.

Grade: A-

Dalton Knecht

38 minutes, 37 points, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 12-16 FG, 9-12 3PT, 4-5 FT, +18

Hooooolllyyyyyy.

Lakers fans have been treated to some flamethrower spurts before, whether it was from LeBron James or D’Angelo Russell or Kobe Bryant or Jodie Meeks (yes, I did just throw Jodie Meeks in that sentence). But nothing compared to that third quarter from Knecht.

I mean, when’s the last time the Lakers had a shooter who could do that? Have they ever? It’s hard to remain rational about Knecht when he keeps one-upping his performances in his second month as a rookie.

I’m not going to stop you from getting too high on him because why on Earth would I after that game? I also thought he grabbed a couple of important contested rebounds in the second half, too, but no one is going to remember anything but the shooting.

Grade: A+++++

Cam Reddish

25 minutes, 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1-1 FG, 2-2 FT, -2

That isn’t a pretty stat line, but I did think Reddish had a fairly decent game.

The stat line does show that he made some nice defensive plays. Having him out there to defend the best perimeter player helps better slot Knecht and Austin Reaves and I don’t think it’s a coincidence both guys have looked good with him in the starting lineup.

Grade: B

Austin Reaves

33 minutes, 17 points, 5 assists, 6-14 FG, 3-7 3PT, 2-2 FT, +4

That was certainly a tale of two halves for Reaves. After being one of the best players on the floor in the first half, he was 2-6 from the field with two turnovers and five points in the second half.

The Lakers were -11 in his 16 minutes and, honestly, that feels about right. This would have been a really ugly second half if not for a 3-pointer late in the shot clock in the fourth quarter.

Grade: B-

D’Angelo Russell

26 minutes, 8 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2-8 FG, 0-4 3PT, 4-4 FT, +2

You know what D’Lo did a fantastic job of tonight that might go a little under the radar? Finding Dalton Knecht.

It feels obvious, but look at every one of those Knecht 3-pointers in the third quarter and what do they all have in common? D’Angelo Russell assist.

He was ensuring that plays went through Knecht during that stretch. That shouldn’t go unnoticed and shows the value a veteran guard has on teams.

Grade: B+

Max Christie

17 minutes, 1 point, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 0-1 FG, 1-2 FT, -1

It feels weird to say this on a night when he had no field goals and one point, but I think it’s fair to just have Christie back into the rotation at this point. If this is the floor of what he can bring, I think I’m comfortable inserting him back into a full-strength rotation.

That being said, this wasn’t a great night. But if you can make the argument this is his floor moving forward, then I’m find with him getting minutes.

Grade: B-

Gabe Vincent

19 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1-3 FG, 1-2 3PT, +8

Maybe this is the epitome of the Gordon Ramsey meme when comparing his stat line to Christie’s, but if this is what Vincent is going to provide, count me out. I thought he played decently, but this feels like one of his better games in recent weeks and considering what he’s being paid, that ain’t gonna cut it.

Grade: C+

Christian Koloko

14 minutes, 2 points, 3 rebounds, 1-1 FG, +2

It was a bit of a step down from his game against the Pelicans, but if we’re going to credit D’Lo for assisting Knecht on that 3-point barrage, I’m also going to show some love to Koloko for his screen setting as well.

It’s an underrated skill and he did well helping get Knecht open.

Grade: B

JJ Redick

You know how nice it is to see a guy get on a heater and then have the coach making sure the offense is running plays that involve him? And they even mixed in a play where his gravity left Christie WIIIIIIDE open for a lob that D’Lo threw off the rim.

Great work not just letting the guys YOLO it on the court and keeping Knecht hot.

Grade: A

Tuesday’s DNPs: Maxwell Lewis, Quincy Olivari, Armel Traore

Tuesday’s inactives: Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Bronny James, Jarred Vanderbilt, Christian Wood

You can follow Jacob on Twitter at @JacobRude.