The Sacramento Kings lost their second consecutive game in the preseason to the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night, falling 114-110 at Staples Center.

And while a second straight loss is always disappointing, the game did represent improvement for UConn Huskies alum Alex Karaban, who scored seven points in 20 minutes of action.

The rookie, who was selected at the end of the first round of the NBA Draft, was 2-of-3 from the floor and hit both of his three-pointers. He also was 1-for-1 at the foul line, pulled down three rebounds and dished out two assists.

He had scored three points in 16 minutes in the opener, going just 1-of-3 from the floor.

No one just how big a contributor Karaban can be in the NBA as a rookie, but considering the Kings went 22-60 and finished 14th in the Western Conference last season, there should be opportunities for him to get some minutes.

Keegan Murray, Damontas Sabonis, Malik Monk and Zach LaVine represent established talent on the roster, but beyond that, there are lots of open chances for contribution.

Former Huskies star Tristen Newton is also on the roster right now, giving the team another Storrs connection.

A two-time national champion, Karaban is one of the most beloved UConn players of all-time. A four-year player at a time when almost no one is a four-year player at the same school, he is the winningest player in program history. A two-time All-Big East selection, he averaged 12.5 ppg for his career to go along with five rebounds.

He played in 151 games at UConn, including 150 starts, also the most in program history. He averaged 13.2 ppg last season as UConn got to another national title game, losing to Michigan. 

He's already been inducted into the 'Huskies of Honor,' a sign of how much respect he has around Storrs, and how his career played out is truly amazing, given that he apparently had to convince his mom to even let him go to UConn. 

There was a fake report going around on Thursday night that the Huskies lost to Charlotte in a secret exhibition. That story is fake.

The Huskies will be back in action, for real, on Tuesday night against Syracuse in the exhibition opener.

That game will be played at Mohegan Sun Arena at 7 p.m. ET.