The Los Angeles Lakers, powered by a standout performance from rookie guard Dalton Knecht, defeated the Utah Jazz 124-118 on Tuesday night at crypto.com Arena to win their sixth straight game.

And Lakers superstar forward LeBron James had a simple, expletive-laden message for the 16 NBA teams that passed Knecht, who scored a career-high 37 points and made nine 3-pointers, tying the league’s rookie record in a single The game ended with victory in the NBA Cup group game.

“They (the Lakers front office) didn’t find DK (Lakers guard Dalton Knecht). The other 16 teams did it,” James said with a wry smile. “Was anyone watching him? Shit! They just didn’t make it. You don’t ‘find’ an SEC Player of the Year.”

Knecht, 23, was selected by Los Angeles with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft last June after a season in which he averaged 21.7 points and made 2.6 three-pointers per game for the Volunteers earning first-team All-America honors, winning the SEC scoring title and, as James mentioned, being named SEC Player of the Year.

Knecht has been much more aggressive in finding his shot over the last four games, as he averaged 24.2 points and 5.2 three-pointers per game while shooting 54 percent or better from the field in each contest.

But Tuesday’s performance was Knecht’s best as a pro and even included a throwback to an iconic moment involving six-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan. Knecht hit Jordan’s signature shrug in a red-hot third quarter in which he blocked six attempts from beyond the arc.

“Rui (Hachimura) talked to me about needing a three-point celebration,” Knecht said. “I didn’t know what to do. So I just shrugged.”

And James, an avid fan of Knecht’s at Tennessee, could only shrug when asked what he sees from his Lakers teammate now.

“I don’t know,” James said. “The same shit I said last year. Everyone on the internet calls me a liar all the time. They say I’m lying in every way. So what am I now? That’s what I was told.” . I watched Tennessee a lot, I didn’t think he would fall for us.

“I thought it was impossible. I have no idea how it happened. But I am very grateful and very happy that he is here. I knew exactly what we were going to get when he turned 17.”