Los Angeles (6-2) defeated Portland (4-3), 123-115, Monday at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Former Vol Dalton Knecht started and played 23 minutes for the Lakers. He totaled eight points, four rebounds and one assist. Knecht converted 4-of-7 field goal attempts.
Deandre Ayton led the Lakers in scoring with 29 points. Luka Doncic and LeBron James did not play for Los Angeles against the Trail Blazers.
Knecht was selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17) by Los Angeles.
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.
Los Angeles will next play Wednesday versus San Antonio. Tipoff is slated for 10 p.m. EST at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California (ESPN).
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