Lakers wing Matisse Thybulle switches to No. 4, takes released Dalton Knecht's jersey
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The gist
Lakers wing Matisse Thybulle changed his number from 26 to 4 two days after Dalton Knecht's release.
No. 4 has been his favorite number since high school.
Background
Matisse Thybulle is a Los Angeles Lakers wing who wore No. 22 as a Philadelphia 76ers rookie in 2019 and No. 4 with the Portland Trail Blazers from 2023 until last season. After signing with the Lakers over the summer he picked No. 26, joking that his old numbers 22 and 4 "adds up to 26." No. 4 has been his number since high school at Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish, Washington, which retired it in 2015; he also wore it four seasons at the University of Washington, and his college player profile calls it his favorite number, worn since fourth grade and matching his March 4 birthday and his mom's favorite number.
How it unfolded
- 2015Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish, Washington retired Thybulle's jersey number, which he called a "full-circle moment of my basketball journey."
- 2019Thybulle joined the Philadelphia 76ers as a rookie wearing No. 22.
- 2023Thybulle was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers and wore No. 4 up until last season.
- Summer 2026Thybulle signed with the Lakers wearing No. 26, saying his past numbers 22 and 4 "adds up to 26."
- Oct 21, 2026The Lakers announced Thybulle will change his number from 26 to 4, two days after Dalton Knecht was released by the team.
- Oct 21, 2026Thybulle wore No. 4 for the first time in a Lakers uniform in the season opener against the Golden State Warriors, posting three points, three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal over 23 minutes in a 127-105 victory.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- The Lakers announced the switch from No. 26 to No. 4, and Thybulle said the number ties back to his high school days, calling it a "full-circle moment of my basketball journey."