When you grow up watching LeBron James dominate playoff basketball, stepping into a locker room with him as a rookie has to feel surreal. But Dalton Knecht isn’t just starstruck—he’s locked in. After dropping 27 points and 8 rebounds in the Lakers’ regular-season finale loss to the Trail Blazers, the 23-year-old made one thing very clear: he expects greatness from LeBron, and he’s fully ready to ride with him when the postseason starts next weekend.
Let’s not get it twisted—the Lakers rested their top guys in the finale. No LeBron (left groin), no Luka Doncic (left quad), no Austin Reaves. Still, that didn’t stop Knecht from going full throttle. He played like someone who’s not just happy to be here, but someone who wants to leave a mark now.
When asked about how the team has shifted into playoff mode, Knecht didn’t flinch. “We’ll be ready,” he said, giving a quick shoutout to the vets. “Bron’s been in the playoffs since before I was born. Luka, Gabe, Jax, Vando—all of ‘em help. We’re locked in.
For a dude who wasn’t even on the radar to start the season, Knecht is making it clear—he’s not just soaking in the moment. He wants to make sure LeBron knows the rookies have his back, and he’s ready to contribute when the lights get brighter.
While the players were resting or hooping, head coach JJ Redick was already in film room mode. After the loss in Portland, he cracked a smile while admitting he’s leaning heavily on others for insight—including Luka and assistant Greg, who both have painful memories of getting swept by Minnesota last year.
It’s clear that Redick, new to the head coaching gig, is trying to fast-track his learning curve by relying on playoff vets and recent experience against the Wolves. He’s got the film, the input, and, thankfully, a rested squad that doesn’t need a Play-In appearance to wear them out.
Now, let’s talk about the engine of this whole thing—LeBron James. At age 40 and in his 22nd season, he still moves like he’s got unfinished business. The Lakers finished the season 50–32, good for the No. 3 seed, and they’ll face the sixth-seeded Timberwolves in the first round. Thanks to securing that top-three spot, they’ve earned a full week off before Game 1, which is massive for LeBron.
His teammates clearly feed off his energy. Austin Reaves joked that no matter how early he shows up to train, LeBron’s already there. “He doesn’t stop,” Reaves said. “He’s been doing this for decades and still outworks everybody.”
This is the Lakers’ 65th playoff appearance in 77 seasons. That’s 17 titles, 32 Finals appearances, and legends like Magic, Kareem, Kobe, and Shaq paving the path. But this year, it’s about blending history with new blood—LeBron, Luka, and yes, Dalton Knecht.
Their opponent? A battle-tested Timberwolves team with Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle. The regular season saw Minnesota win two of three meetings, but in playoff history, the Lakers are 2–0 in series vs the Wolves.
The Timberwolves are no joke. They give up just 109.3 points per game and can absolutely light it up when Edwards and Gobert get hot. But the Lakers have experience, home-court advantage, and a healthy, hungry roster.
And maybe the most exciting wrinkle? Dalton Knecht. He’s not just a feel-good rookie story. He’s someone who could genuinely swing momentum in a game with his hustle, shooting, and no-fear mentality. The Lakers already have stars. Now they might have an X-factor too.
Dalton Knecht is setting the tone early. He’s not just here to watch LeBron do his thing—he’s here to help him win. With JJ Redick digging through tough playoff lessons and LeBron leading a rested, deep squad, the Lakers are poised for something special. The Timberwolves might have won the regular-season battle, but the war starts now. Game 1 can’t come soon enough.
