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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma has big game against Memphis Grizzlies

By Nick Ziegler

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Lakers were able to snap their losing streak on Saturday night with a win over the Memphis Grizzlies. In the win, Kyle Kuzma played a great game.

Coming into Saturday, the Los Angeles Lakers had fallen on some hard times. With a lot of injuries, the Lakers have been short-handed, and that has certainly hurt the team’s performance on the court.

With two key players in Josh Hart and Brandon Ingram out, the Lakers have been lacking on the wing. Due to these players being out, the Lakers have slumped a bit, as both Hart and Ingram have been starters and important players for the team this season.

Prior to the game on Saturday, it was also announced that Isaiah Thomas will be sidelined with a hip injury for the next few games. Since Thomas had a hip surgery in the offseason, he will likely be playing it very carefully for the rest of the season as free agent. With Thomas out against the Grizzlies, the Lakers had a very short rotation to work with.

In the win, the Lakers used just eight players with all five of their starters playing over 35 minutes. For Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, they played over 40 minutes.

Against a tanking Grizzlies team, the Lakers were able to win despite being short-handed. While the Lakers were able to have some good performances from their starters, one that stood out was Kuzma,

On Saturday, Kuzma was able to total a team-high 25 points on 9-for-21 shooting from the field, and 4-for-10 shooting from 3-point range. In addition to the great scoring night, Kuzma was also able to grab 10 rebounds to notch the double-double.

While Kuzma has had some struggles at times this season, he has certainly found his early season form of late. In the last three games, Kuzma has scored over 20 points in each of them. With the Lakers being so short-handed, Luke Walton is certainly asking a lot of Kuzma as one of the few players the Lakers have left healthy on the wing.

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As the season nears the end, it is certainly good to see Kuzma breaking through the rookie wall. Overall, it has been a great season for Kuzma, and hopefully, he can continue to play well for the rest of the season.

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