Dalton

Knecht

Knecht is good to go for Monday’s game, but he’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball. He should only be rostered in dynasty leagues.

Knecht was absent from the initial injury report released by the Lakers on Sunday evening. His availability does not affect fantasy basketball, especially in the aftermath of the Lakers’ acquisition of Luke Kennard. Knecht should only be rostered in dynasty leagues.

According to McMenamin, Dončić had his inner thigh/groin area treated in the second half of Monday’s loss to the Kings, and his status for the second leg of the Lakers’ back-to-back set is uncertain. The Lakers have not yet submitted an injury report for Tuesday’s tilt with the Hawks, but LeBron James has not played both legs of a back-to-back this season, so his status is also in question. Los Angeles could be sorely undermanned, which would lead to the team picking up the slack in a committee approach, with guys like Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith Jr. and Gabe Vincent seeing increased run. The team will need to lean heavily on its available starters, which could mean monster usage for Rui Hachimura, Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia.

After scoring 30 points in Tuesday’s win over the Pelicans, James will sit out the second game of the Lakers’ road back-to-back. Dalton Knecht and Jarred Vanderbilt should play more minutes off the bench, with one likely moving into the starting lineup.

James is dealing with left foot joint arthritis and right sciatica, and he could be sidelined for the second leg of the Lakers’ back-to-back set after going for 30/8/8 in Tuesday’s win over New Orleans. If James is sidelined, more minutes could be available for Jarred Vanderbilt and Dalton Knecht.

Dončić will return following a one-game absence, and his return should mean reduced roles for Dalton Knecht, Nick Smith and Jake LaRavia. Not counting 2024 when he left early due to injury, Dončić has averaged 36.3 points, 10.3 assists and 6.3 rebounds across three career Christmas games.

Reaves has missed the Lakers’ last three games with a strained calf, but he may return to action on Tuesday. If he can play, Reaves would essentially fill the void left by Luka Dončić, who is out with a leg contusion. If Reaves cannot play, Dalton Knecht would figure more prominently in the rotation, potentially as a starter.

Dončić suffered a lower left leg contusion during Saturday’s loss to the Clippers and did not return after halftime. While Dalton Knecht started the third quarter, the Lakers were already without Austin Reaves. If Reaves can play on Tuesday, there won’t be many minutes available to Knecht.

Dončić suffered a left leg contusion during the second quarter of Saturday’s game. While he finished out the half, the decision was made during the intermission that the Lakers’ star was done for the night. Dalton Knecht started the third quarter, and his viability as a streamer moving forward depends on the availability of both Dončić and Austin Reaves.

Hachimura has been downgraded after initially being listed as questionable. His absence will likely open up a starting spot for Jake LaRavia, who has been productive in seven starts this season. Dalton Knecht should also play a larger role off the bench.