ALL-STAR GAME: SHAQ'S OGS VS. CANDACE'S RISING STARS

February 16, 2025

Dalton Knecht

Candace's Rising Stars

Press Conference

Semifinals: Shaq's OGs 42, Candace's Rising Stars 35

Q. If you have the chance to play Rising Stars again next year, would you like to play again this All-Star Game in this scenario, where you win the Rising Stars --

DALTON KNECHT: Sure. I think it's kind of fun how they had us set up with the old heads with the young stars and then Rising Stars. I think that's pretty cool.

Q. Did you feel a sense of urgency in them when you had a chance to make it close at the end?

DALTON KNECHT: Yeah, for sure. I think ,like I said, after that second timeout, we really started to pick it up.

Q. How long before you put your name in the hat to do the three-point contest?

DALTON KNECHT: I don't know. When should I? Next year in L.A.?

Q. Why didn't you do it this year?

DALTON KNECHT: I didn't get invited. Next year in L.A.

Q. We talked to LeBron before the game and he said he has a sense that his team has possibilities, that it could be a long run. Especially over the last month, have you seen a different version of LeBron in terms of his focus, his energy?

DALTON KNECHT: Yeah, his energy is, for sure, on another level. He's going in there and making sure we're all juiced up and amped up to play. He'll lead us there, him and Luka. Go out there and play and get in the Playoffs and stuff like that.

Q. How important are the next couple days for you mentally, given the last 14, whatever you've been through?

DALTON KNECHT: It'll be good. Go back, I have my family here, so just going to chill with them, get some dinner and go back to L.A. now and just relax for a day, less than a day.

Q. What would you say about the criticism about you guys shouldn't have been on the floor with the All-Stars tonight, from Draymond?

DALTON KNECHT: It's Draymond. He's just tough.

Q. Compared to the All-Stars, this is the under-19 team?

DALTON KNECHT: He's just talking.

Q. Talk about playing with Luka.

DALTON KNECHT: Yeah, it'll be fun playing with Luka. I've only played one game, but it'll be exciting. You never know when he's going to throw the ball. You seen those passes he's throwing it to Rui (Hachimura), AR (Austin Reaves) and all those dunks.