The Dallas Mavericks spent Christmas Day in Southern California playing the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers.
The Mavericks left Staples Center still in search of their first win of the new season, as they dropped a 138-115 decision to the Lakers.
Dallas may have lost, but former University of Tennessee basketball player Josh Richardson had a solid effort for the Mavericks (0-2).
Richardson scored 17 points, pulled down two rebounds and dished out two assists against the Lakers (1-1) despite being whistled for his fourth foul early in the third quarter. He logged 27 minutes on the floor.
He was playing his second regular-season game for the Mavericks after being traded to the team from the Philadelphia 76ers on draft night.
Richardson began his NBA career with the Miami Heat.
He played for the Volunteers for four seasons and was a two-time member of the Southeastern Conference’s All-Defensive Team in 2014 and 2015 and an All-SEC performer in 2015.