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Los Angeles Lakers: Kyle Kuzma unlikely to play vs Utah Jazz

By Kenneth Teape

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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Los Angeles Lakers rookie forward Kyle Kuzma is unlikely to play against the Utah Jazz on Sunday.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been hit hard by injuries throughout the season. After a hot start coming out of the All-Star break, the injuries began piling up and all the momentum that the team was building was lost.

Los Angeles is going to have only four players appear in at least 70 games this season. Julius Randle is the only one that has a chance to play in all 82. Integral parts of the team, such as Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart have all missed a significant amount of time this season.

Arguably the most consistent player for the Lakers this season has been rookie forward Kyle Kuzma. He has played in 77 games this season and been a consistent source of scoring and rebounds all season. However, he has battled injuries of his own.

Ankle injuries are something Kuzma has played with throughout the season. A sprained right ankle suffered in college still bothers him now. He has added a mild left ankle sprain as well.

With only three games remaining in the season, there is a chance that Kuzma is forced to sit down because of the injuries. He has battled through them all season, but he may have to rest them now.

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Here is what ESPN Los Angeles’ Ohm Youngmisuk shared.

"Kyle Kuzma’s ankles are beat up. He was already playing through a sprained right ankle that has bothered him since college last year and now he has a mild left ankle sprain. With three games remaining in the season, Kuzma may have to rest his ankles although he typically tries to play through injuries. “I tried to move and push around [on the left ankle in the third quarter] but it is kind of hard to move around on two flat tires,” Kuzma said about trying to play through the latest ankle injury in the third quarter before being ruled out of the game. “My body feels great. At the end of the day, it is just my ankles. I can’t tell you anything right now [about playing in the final three games]… [this latest ankle injury is] just really throbbing. [It’s] a little different than my last one. My last one was an inside sprain. This is an outside sprain.”"

With another losing season and no playoff berth on the horizon, there is no reason to push Kuzma to play. The Lakers have nothing to play for other than being the spoiler for playoff-hopeful teams. Knocking off the rival Los Angeles Clippers in the final game of the season would be a nice finish.

However, pushing Kuzma to be a part of that would make little sense. The Lakers look to have a nice core of young players. The future is bright, and pushing an injured player in a meaningless game would make no sense.

If Kuzma is unable to play, Luke Walton will need other players to step up. He is their second-leading scorer, and with Ingram and Isaiah Thomas, the third and fourth leading scorers on the team also sidelined, someone will need to score the basketball.

Brook Lopez scored 18 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Josh Hart added 20 along with 14 from Ivica Zubac off the bench. The only other player in double-figures was Randle, who scored a team-high 20.

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If the Lakers are going to upset the Jazz on Sunday without Kuzma and their other players, they will need other players to step up and help carry the scoring load.

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