Kyle Kuzma practiced on Saturday and is listed as probable for tonight’s matchup with the Denver Nuggets. With LeBron James doubtful to play against Denver due to a thoracic muscle strain, the Lakers could certainly use the spark that a healthy Kuzma is able to provide. Without James, Los Angeles will be missing 26 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds of production. Kyle could help fill in some of those gaps if his ankle is in fact strong enough to go.
After missing the entire preseason and training camp while recovering from a stress reaction that sidelined him from the 2020 FIBA World Cup, Kuzma has since missed the last five games with an ankle injury. But after practicing this weekend, the Lakers third-year forward is getting excited about the prospects of being back in the lineup for an extended period of time.
“It’s exciting and fun to get back out there with my teammates and play basketball,” Kuzma told reporters after practice on Saturday. “To be able to get back on the court and play basketball is great. I just want to make sure my ankle feels fine and ready. That’s all it is at this point.”
During 20 games this season, Kuzma is averaging 23 minutes per night while scoring 11 points and grabbing just over three rebounds. Last season, while playing over 33 minutes per contest at essentially full strength, he averaged 19 points and six boards. With a marquee Christmas Day matchup with the Los Angeles Clippers looming, Kuzma’s return could play a big role in securing a win over a quality conference opponent.
The Nuggets will enter the Staples Center coming off a five-game home winning streak. They currently own a 19-8 record and are led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. A victory over Los Angeles would move Denver–who currently occupies third place in the Western Conference–to just three games back of the the Lakers for first.
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