The Lakers finally solved their third-quarter woes, and rookie Dalton Knecht might be the answer they’ve been searching for. After being reinserted into the starting lineup, Knecht dropped 20 points in the Lakers’ 119-101 victory over San Antonio, helping Los Angeles overcome early struggles from their superstars.

While LeBron James (16 points, 11 assists, 10 rebounds) and Anthony Davis (19 points, 14 rebounds) had quiet first halves, the Lakers’ balanced attack proved too much for the Spurs. Seven players hit double figures, with D’Angelo Russell adding 17 points off the bench and Rui Hachimura contributing 16 points and five rebounds.

The game’s turning point came in the third quarter – typically Los Angeles’s kryptonite this season. After San Antonio cut the lead to four, Knecht made a play that exemplified his growing impact: dropping in a floater, stealing the ball from Victor Wembanyama, and finding Davis for an uncontested dunk to push the lead back to 10.

“It’s been a rough season for Max, but tonight’s game was a great reminder of his potential,” a Lakers source noted, referring to Max Christie’s spark off the bench (12 points, four rebounds). The second-unit guard’s energy helped maintain momentum when the starters rested.

Wembanyama showed flashes of his generational talent early, blocking Davis and draining threes en route to 20 points and 10 rebounds. But the Spurs, who had won 14 of 18 third quarters this season, couldn’t maintain their usual second-half dominance against a rejuvenated Lakers squad.

The victory snapped a three-game skid for Los Angeles, but more importantly, it validated Redick’s decision to return Knecht to the starting five. The rookie’s Rookie of the Year campaign continues to gain steam, and his presence appears to be the missing piece the Lakers needed to balance their attack.