LA Lakers youngster did more in three minutes on playoff debut than one teammate did in 32, JJ Redick knows his value

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking for answers heading into Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

A flat showing from the LA Lakers saw them begin the NBA Playoffs with a defeat at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lakers fell to a 22-point margin defeat, with Luka Doncic the only player who could hold his head high, with 37 points, but even then, he managed an unusually low one assist.

Minnesota’s strong performance was tied into their strong bench, with Naz Reid scoring 23 and Donte DiVincenzo adding nine.

The Lakers bench had no impact at all – and this is one area the team need to fix.

The lack of impact on from LA Lakers supporting cast was summed up by a late impact made by rookie Dalton Knecht.

Making his NBA Playoffs debut, Dalton Knecht was only given the opportunity to play three minutes of Game 1.

In Dalton Knecht’s three minutes, he scored five points and managed three rebounds.

Yes, this might have come in ‘garbage time’ at the end of the match-up, yet it was more than any non-Lakers starter managed to produce, and more than one of the line-up, with Jaxson Hayes scoring only one point.

Dorian Finney-Smith scored only three points in 32 minutes, Gabe Vincent scored just three points in 25, and Jarred Vanderbilt two points in 14 minutes.

Finney-Smith is usually a reliable contributor but his total statline was 3-2-3, and Vincent 3-0-1.

Knecht’s scoring highlighted their inefficiency, and his bravery to get shots up and try to make his presence felt.

LA Lakers head coach JJ Redick knows Dalton Knecht could be his secret weapon in the playoffs.

He spoke ahead of the series to say that Knecht could win his team ‘multiple’ playoff games.

Redick was clearly hoping to use Knecht as an added wrinkle to complicate a series for an opponent later on. But given the way his players were so flat in Game 1, he might have to turn to him in Game 2.

With the Lakers looking for answers after an offensively flat showing, Dalton Knecht offers a bold solution if Redick is brave enough.