No. 4 seed Los Angeles defeated No. 5 seed Houston, 107-98, Saturday in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs first spherical at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Luke Kennard, a commerce deadline acquisition, scored 27 factors for the Lakers. LeBron James recorded a double-double, totaling 19 factors, 13 assists and eight rebounds. Deandre Ayton additionally scored 19 factors for Los Angeles. Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic have been inactive.
Knecht was chosen in the primary spherical of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17) by the Lakers.
He transferred to Tennessee from Northern Colorado and performed for the Vols throughout the 2023-24 season underneath head coach Rick Barnes.
During his one season at Tennessee, Knecht averaged 21.7 factors, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per recreation. He led the Vols to a SEC regular-season championship and an look in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for a second time in college historical past.
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Los Angeles will subsequent play Tuesday in Game 2 of the best-of-seven sequence. 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 in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers throughout 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 in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers throughout 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 ahead Justin Edwards (11) seems to be to go as Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) defends throughout 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) performs the ball as Philadelphia 76ers ahead Marjon Beauchamp (16) defends throughout 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 in opposition to Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) throughout 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) seems to be to go as Philadelphia 76ers ahead Marjon Beauchamp (16) defends throughout 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) makes use of a display by middle Adem Bona (30) to maneuver the ball in opposition to Utah Jazz guard Kennedy Chandler (0) throughout 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 earlier than the sport in opposition to 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 earlier than the sport in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers at Delta Center.
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