Knecht Scores 5 Points in 3 Minutes, Redick Still Ignores: Lakers Bench Becomes a ‘Disaster’

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a brutal 117-95 loss at home in Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the defeat has only magnified ongoing concerns about their bench productivity—and more specifically, the underutilization of rookie Dalton Knecht. Despite Knecht scoring 5 points in just 3 minutes, head coach JJ Redick kept him glued to the bench during the game’s competitive stretches, fueling a rising debate about decision-making, rotations, and the Lakers’ lack of scoring firepower when LeBron James and Anthony Davis rest.

As Lakers fans scramble for answers, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Redick’s bench management has become a critical problem, and ignoring a high-upside scorer like Knecht could prove disastrous in the team’s already steep uphill climb in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

Dalton Knecht’s Spark: 5 Points in Garbage Time

With the Lakers trailing by more than 20 points in the fourth quarter, JJ Redick finally turned to Dalton Knecht, who had been buried deep on the bench all night. Knecht responded in the limited window he was given—scoring five quick points on 2-of-4 shooting while grabbing three rebounds. Yes, the game was essentially over, and the Timberwolves had pulled their starters, but the burst was nonetheless a reminder of the offensive talent the Lakers might be leaving unused.

Knecht’s offensive skill set—a quick release, deep shooting range, and off-ball movement—is exactly the kind of weapon the Lakers could have used as the Timberwolves’ perimeter defense swarmed D’Angelo Russell and dared others to beat them. Yet for the entire competitive portion of the game, Knecht watched from the sidelines as the Lakers’ bench delivered a combined 21 points—most of which came in meaningless minutes.

The optics are especially damning considering the Lakers were desperate for a scoring jolt and floor spacing. Redick’s decision not to test Knecht in meaningful moments, even briefly, is now under scrutiny.

Redick’s Rotation Woes and the ‘Bench Disaster’ Narrative

When JJ Redick took the helm as Lakers head coach, there was optimism about his modern basketball IQ, media experience, and analytical approach. But in his first postseason game as a head coach, those qualities failed to materialize. Instead, his rotations appeared rigid, reactive, and disconnected from the moment.

The Lakers’ bench has become a growing liability, with little offensive creativity or defensive intensity. Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Taurean Prince, and Jaxson Hayes combined for a +/- of -42 in Game 1. None brought the two-way energy the Lakers needed to keep pace with Minnesota’s deep and dynamic bench unit, which includes impactful players like Naz Reid, Kyle Anderson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.

Redick’s refusal to experiment with Dalton Knecht, one of the Lakers’ only movement shooters, sent a frustrating message—he doesn’t yet trust the rookie, regardless of the flow of the game. And yet, how much worse could it get? The Lakers were being blown off the court, and Knecht was clearly motivated, fresh, and ready to prove himself.

Bench inconsistency has been a concern all season, but Redick’s unwillingness to adapt in real-time might be the biggest red flag heading into Game 2.

LeBron and AD Can’t Do It Alone Forever

LeBron James and Anthony Davis remain the heart of this Lakers team, but expecting them to carry the full weight of playoff basketball in 2025 is no longer realistic. LeBron, now 40, still posted 25 points in Game 1 but was visibly fatigued as the game slipped away. Davis added 20 points and 12 rebounds but struggled to command the paint against the Timberwolves’ twin towers of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.

In past playoff runs, the Lakers succeeded by staggering LeBron and AD’s minutes with reliable, high-IQ role players who could stretch the floor and defend. This season, the Lakers’ bench has struggled to maintain any rhythm. When LeBron and AD sit, the offense becomes stagnant, and defensive lapses multiply.

This is where Dalton Knecht’s presence could make a difference. He’s not a lockdown defender, but his floor-spacing, shot creation, and hustle make him a viable option for minutes in non-LeBron/AD lineups. And at this point, the Lakers must take risks—especially those that might inject energy into a lifeless second unit.

Knecht’s Regular Season Earned Him a Shot

Let’s not forget that Dalton Knecht had a solid rookie season with the Lakers. Selected 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, the 24-year-old averaged 9.1 points per game, shooting 46% from the field and an impressive 38% from beyond the arc. He did this across 78 games, often showing flashes of elite movement shooting and transition finishing.

Knecht’s performance earned him praise from both teammates and analysts, who saw him as a potential difference-maker in the postseason. His poise, maturity, and efficient scoring make him more than just a bench filler—he’s a real weapon who can exploit mismatches and add unpredictability to the Lakers’ offensive schemes.

Yet when it counted, Redick chose to shorten the rotation and rely on struggling veterans. The decision may have cost the Lakers any chance of swinging momentum in Game 1, and it’s one that can’t be repeated without consequence.

Lakers Fans Demand Change Before Game 2

Social media erupted after Game 1, with #FreeKnecht trending among Lakers fans. Many pointed out how Redick’s trust in underperforming veterans and refusal to adapt echoed past coaching missteps in Los Angeles. Others argued that even if Knecht isn’t a defensive stopper, his ability to hit big shots and stretch defenses could open driving lanes for LeBron and D’Angelo Russell.

The Lakers are now in a dangerous spot: lose Game 2 and go down 0-2 before heading to Minnesota, and the series may slip beyond their control. To avoid that, Redick must consider shaking up his approach, especially by allocating more meaningful minutes to Knecht.

Even 10-12 minutes of Knecht in the second quarter or early fourth could change the dynamics, giving the Lakers a needed scoring boost and preventing their offense from completely stalling when starters rest.

Timberwolves Set the Tone—Can the Lakers Respond?

While the Lakers were unraveling, the Minnesota Timberwolves looked locked in, efficient, and confident. Led by Anthony Edwards’ 31 points and Karl-Anthony Towns’ interior dominance, the Wolves ran hard in transition, hit timely threes, and defended with intensity. Gobert’s rim protection stifled Lakers drives, while Jaden McDaniels neutralized key wings on the perimeter.

Their bench outscored the Lakers by 14 points, played with better energy, and communicated more clearly on switches. Head coach Chris Finch ran dynamic offensive sets and took advantage of every Lakers mismatch. The Wolves didn’t just win—they made a statement.

The Lakers must now respond with urgency. If JJ Redick hopes to salvage this series, he must adjust defensively, force more turnovers, and—most importantly—unlock offensive depth by involving players like Knecht who can shift momentum.

Final Thoughts: Will Redick Let Knecht Play?

Game 1 revealed a sobering truth: the Lakers can’t win this series without better bench play, and Dalton Knecht may be their best bet to turn that around. The rookie’s late-game performance, though in garbage time, showed poise and readiness. He deserves the opportunity to contribute in meaningful moments, especially when the alternative has proven ineffective.

JJ Redick is facing his first true test as an NBA head coach. How he responds in Game 2—especially whether he trusts his young talent or continues to rely solely on veterans—will define the trajectory of this postseason.

If Redick continues to ignore Knecht despite the glaring bench struggles, the “disaster” label will stick, and Lakers fans may wonder what could’ve been. It’s time to give Dalton Knecht the green light—not when the game is over, but when it matters most.