Los Angeles (9-4) defeated New Orleans (4-10), 104-99, Saturday at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Former Tennessee basketball player Dalton Knecht made his third NBA start for the Lakers. He totaled a career-high 27 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals in 37 minutes against the Pelicans.
Knecht converted 10-of-17 field goal attempts, 5-of-10 3-point attempts and 2-of-2 free throw attempts.
He was selected in the first-round of the 2024 NBA draft (No. 17 overall) by Los Angeles.
Knecht was a transfer from Northern Colorado and played for the Vols during the 2023-24 season under 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 Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in school history.
Knecht was the 2024 SEC Player and SEC Newcomer of the Year. He was a consensus All-America standout and earned the Julius Erving Award.