No. 5 seed Houston defeated No. 4 seed Los Angeles, 99-93, on Wednesday in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs first round at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven series, 3-2.
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Former Vol Dalton Knecht did not play for the Lakers due to coach’s decision.
LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring with 25 points. He also totaled seven assists, three rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes.
Austin Reaves scored 22 points in 34 minutes for Los Angeles.
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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The Lakers and Rockets will next play Friday in Game 3 of the series. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. EDT at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The Lakers and Rockets will next play Friday in Game 6 of the series. Tipoff is slated for 9:30 p.m. EDT at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
March 19, 2026; Greenville, South Carolina; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) dribbles the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
March 19, 2026; Greenville, South Carolina; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) dribbles the ball against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the first half of a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
Belmont’s Tyler Lundblade, right, shoots against Bradley in the second half of its MVC basketball game Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Carver Arena. Lundblade converted eight three-pointers and the Braves fell to the Bruins, 80-77.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball transfer portal class
Dai Dai Ames #7 of the California Golden Bears dribbles the ball against Elias Rapieque #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the first half at Bramlage Coliseum on November 13, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas.
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