The Los Angeles Lakers made their mark at the Rising Stars games, with Dalton Knecht joining Team C for the competition.

In the semifinal round, Team C secured a victory over Team T with a score of 40-36. Knecht contributed significantly with seven points, four assists, and four rebounds during this win. In the championship match, Team C faced Team G, triumphing 25-14, where Knecht recorded five points, two rebounds, and one steal.

With this victory, Team C is set to compete in the NBA All-Star game against Team Shaq, which includes stars like LeBron James and Steph Curry.

In the semifinal match, Knecht kicked things off for Team C with an early three-pointer. Following that, he delivered two quick assists, putting Team C ahead 10-2.

Knecht then scored under the basket after a well-placed pocket pass, extending the lead into double digits.

In these semifinal games, the first team to reach 40 points emerged as the winner. After a basket from Jalen Wells, Team C was well on their way to hitting that target.

Knecht made an impressive dunk, helping Team C lead 25-14.

Team T rallied back with a 7-0 scoring run, tightening the game. However, Trayce Jackson-Davis broke Team C’s scoring drought with a dunk, pushing the lead back to six points.

After Wells connected on a three-pointer from Knecht’s assist, Team C maintained a 36-29 advantage.

As the game approached its conclusion, Team C turned to Stephon Castle, who delivered a crucial jumper to secure their place in the finals.

Team G competed against Team M to determine who would face Team C in the final, ultimately winning by a narrow 40-39 margin.

For the final, the rules changed; the first team to reach or exceed 25 points would claim victory.

Zach Edey initiated the scoring for Team C with a dunk, but Team G quickly countered with five consecutive points.

After Leonard Miller hit a three-pointer, Team G took a 12-8 lead. However, Team C retaliated with a decisive seven-point run, regaining the lead with Castle continuing to attack the basket.

He converted two free throws, giving Team C a 17-14 lead. Knecht lit up the scoreboard with five consecutive points, including a stunning rainbow three-pointer, leaving Team C just three points shy of Sunday’s matchup.

Knecht made a critical steal, and Keyonte George sealed the victory with a three-pointer off Castle’s assist.

Key Takeaways

In summary, Knecht showcased a strong performance, leading his team to the NBA All-Star Game without any injuries. Following a chaotic week that he described as “feeling like a movie,” it’s rewarding to see him earn a well-deserved spot in the All-Star Game.

He’s looking forward to the unique opportunity of playing against his Lakers teammate LeBron James, who is part of Team Shaq in the All-Star Games’ new format. Regardless of the outcome, Lakers fans can be proud of their team’s representation in the championship match this Sunday.

Connect with Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.