Dalton Knecht Stats Tonight: How did Lakers first-round pick fare in key clash vs Nuggets? (Mar. 19)

LA Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht continued his run of playing significant minutes for the team amid LeBron James and Rui Hachimura's injury absences. The first-round pick has made the most of it and made a case for cracking into the playoff rotation. Over the past nine games, he's averaged 14.3 points and 3.7 rebounds, shooting 50.0%, including 40.0% from 3.

Here's how he fared against the Denver Nuggets in Wednesday's clash:

Dalton Knecht's stats tonight vs. Denver Nuggets

Knecht played 10:56 minutes in the first half off the bench. He was clinical offensively, scoring 10 points and making 3-for-4 shots, all from the 3-point range. He also made two trips to the foul line, converting one shot. Knecht added a rebound and an assist. He finished the half with a +/- of +2. The Lakers led 73-59.

Knecht optimized the open shots he got on the perimeter, thanks to Luka Doncic, who often got Denver's players in rotation with his gravity.

Knecht had an inefficient second-half run after he converted only one of his six shots in that period. He finished with 12 points, three rebounds and one assist, shooting 4-for-10, including 3-for-7 from 3 and 1-for-2 from the free throw line.

Exploring Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht's chances of making the playoff rotation

Dalton Knecht has been solid for the Lakers in March. Averaging slightly over 14 points a game in 10 outings, including Wednesday's contest, Knecht has made a compelling case to JJ Redick about giving him playoff minutes. His shot-making and scoring off the bench can come in handy in a playoff setting when defenses are even more alert.

However, Knecht remains unlikely to secure the same playing time he has in the regular season. The rookie still has glaring defensive weaknesses, which often contribute to his negative box scores. Meanwhile, like any other team, LA would choose experience and defense over a one-dimensional player like Knecht in crunch situations.

Once LeBron James and Rui Hachimura are healthy, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jordan Goodwin, Gabe Vincent and Jarred Vanderbilt will all be higher in the pecking order when the rotation shrinks in the postseason. Knecht might see some floor time, but it won't be as significant, especially in close games.

Unless there's an injury holding back frontcourt players above him, the rookie could, at best, secure 10 minutes per contest in a playoff game.