No. 5 seeds Houston defeated No. 4 seed Los Angeles99-93, on Wednesday in Game 5 of the NBA playoffs first spherical at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Los Angeles leads the best-of-seven collection, 3-2.
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Former Vol Dalton Knecht didn’t play for the Lakers as a result of coach’s choice.
LeBron James led the Lakers in scoring with 25 factors. He additionally totaled seven assists, three rebounds and two steals in 39 minutes.
Austin Reaves scored 22 factors in 34 minutes for Los Angeles.
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 beneath 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 an SEC regular-season championship and an look in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for a second time in faculty historical past.
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The Lakers and Rockets will subsequent play Friday in Game 3 of the collection. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 pm EDT at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The Lakers and Rockets will subsequent play Friday in Game 6 of the collection. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:30 pm EDT at Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball switch portal class
March 19, 2026; Greenville, South Carolina; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) dribbles the ball in opposition to North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the primary half of a primary spherical recreation of the lads’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball switch portal class
March 19, 2026; Greenville, South Carolina; VCU Rams guard Terrence Hill Jr. (6) dribbles the ball in opposition to North Carolina Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble (7) in the primary half of a primary spherical recreation of the lads’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
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Jalen Haralson ‘an excellent match’ with Tennessee basketball
Feb. 28, 2026; South Bend, Indiana; Notre Dame Fighting Irish ahead Jalen Haralson (10) drives as NC State Wolfpack guard Quadir Copeland (11) defends throughout the first half at Purcell Pavilion on the Joyce Center.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball switch portal class
Belmont’s Tyler Lundblade, proper, shoots in opposition to Bradley in the second half of their MVC basketball recreation Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025 at Carver Arena. Lundblade transformed eight three-pointers and the Braves fell to the Bruins, 80-77.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball switch portal class
March 15, 2025; Washington, D.C.; Loyola Chicago Ramblers middle Miles Rubin (24) shoots the ball as VCU Rams ahead Luke Bamgboye (9) defends in the primary half in a semifinal of the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament at Capital One Arena.
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee basketball switch portal class
Dai Dai Ames #7 of the California Golden Bears dribbles the ball in opposition to Elias Rapieque #0 of the Kansas State Wildcats in the primary half at Bramlage Coliseum on November 13, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas.
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