No. 4 seed Los Angeles defeated No. 5 seed Houston, 107-98, Saturday in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs first round at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Luke Kennard, a trade deadline acquisition, scored 27 points for the Lakers. LeBron James recorded a double-double, totaling 19 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds. Deandre Ayton also scored 19 points for Los Angeles. Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic were inactive.
Knecht was selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17) by the Lakers.
He transferred to Tennessee from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under head coach Rick Barnes.
During his one season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for a second time in school history.
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Los Angeles will next play Tuesday in Game 2 of the best-of-seven series. Tipoff is slated for 10:30 p.m. EDT at Crypto.com Arena (NBC).
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) passes the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Delta Center.
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) passes the ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Delta Center.
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Justin Edwards (11) looks to pass as Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) defends during the second half at Delta Center.
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) plays the ball as Philadelphia 76ers forward Marjon Beauchamp (16) defends during the first half at Delta Center.
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Cameron Payne (20) shoots the ball against Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) during the first half at Delta Center.
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) looks to pass as Philadelphia 76ers forward Marjon Beauchamp (16) defends during the first half at Delta Center.
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Cameron Payne (20) uses a screen by center Adem Bona (30) to move the ball against Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) during the first half at Delta Center.
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Delta Center.
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PHOTOS: Kennedy Chandler debuts with Utah in NBA
March 21, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) warms up before the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Delta Center.
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