Dalton Knecht helps match Knicks franchise history in debut with New York
The VFL splashed home some history for the Knicks in his first action in the Big Apple.
Dalton Knecht finally got to step onto the court for the New York Knicks after signing with the team last week. And it did not take long for the former Tennessee Vols star to make his mark on his new team, and he did it in record book fashion.
Knecht scored 10 points in 16 minutes on 4-6 shooting with seven rebounds, an assist, and a block. Solid overall work. But it was a three pointer from the wing right before the end of the first half that put the Knicks into the franchise record book.
Knecht’s three pointer with 5.3 seconds left before halftime pushed the Knicks’ first half lead over the Chicago Bulls to an eye-popping 84-49 margin. The 84 points tied the team’s franchise record for points in the first half.
Dalton Knecht’s three-pointer secures tie in Knicks record book for most points in first half (84)
“He’s a scorer. He’s not just a shooter — a lot of people think he’s just a shooter because he’s white,” head coach Mike Brown said with a chuckle after the game. “I said it for you (laughing). I hope I don’t get in trouble, but he can go get it. He can shoot from range. He’s got a medium game. He can get to the rim. He can pass.
“He’s got to work defensively, and I thought tonight he tried to play within himself and contributed the best way he could. There were a couple of things defensively that he could do a little better and that’s what he’s got to really concentrate on. But I thought he gave us a nice little lift, especially offensively, when he played towards the end of that first half.”
Knecht reached an agreement with the Knicks on Oct. 23 on a two-way contract after being waived by the Los Angeles Lakers, who selected him No. 17 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. Improving defensively has always been his number one issue, and it’s something he still has to work on.
But it’s clear he made a good first impression in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. We’ll see if he can continue earning more playing time in the weeks ahead for the defending NBA champions.
