Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma is dealing with yet another ankle injury but is smartly being patient and not rushing things.
Things have not gone as hoped during the 2019-20 season thus far for Los Angeles Lakers forward, Kyle Kuzma. Kuzma, the lone holdover from the team’s young core, has struggled this season with consistency because of injuries.
The former Utah product was injured during training camp with Team USA in preparation for the FIBA World Cup this summer. That pushed back his timeline to get ready for the NBA season with the Lakers.
Kuzma missed the first four games of the season recovering from the stress reaction. He struggled out of the gate, understandably, but after a week, he looked to have found his footing.
He had a strong five-game stretch, scoring at least 13 points with four rebounds in all five games. His shooting stroke was coming around, as he connected on 15-of-32 attempts from beyond the 3-point line. That equals out to an impressive 46.9 percent, as he made three 3-pointers in every game.
Unfortunately, Kuzma had bad luck with injuries once again. Against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 19, he was scratched in the eye. He did not miss any games as a result, as he was back out there for the second half of the back-to-back against the Thunder, sporting some eyewear for protection.
Kyreem Abworth-Kuzbis https://t.co/S7wej1qMvH
— kuz (@kylekuzma) November 23, 2019
Kuzma had some solid games once his eye injury healed, but it wasn’t long before he suffered his latest injury, another one to his ankle, against the Washington Wizards.
Despite the sprain suffered against Washington, Kuzma didn’t miss any games after that. He played in the next five games but just didn’t look like himself. As a result, the Lakers shut him down, which is where we are today.
Kuzma has missed all four games of the road trip recovering from his ankle injury and looks likely to miss a fifth straight when the team plays against the Milwaukee Bucks in the fifth and final game of the trip.
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While he was hopeful to return during the trip, he knows it is best to take his time and make sure that he is 100 percent healed before he returns to the court.
"“It’s all about just being patient,” Kuzma said. “It’s all about being patient. We’re a 20-3 team and that’s all it’s really about right now — trying to get wins and when I have opportunities or when the team needs me when the team is down, I have an opportunity to come in and hit some big shots. That’s just kind of my job to do. Other than that it’s just kind of get in where I fit in and just help the team out in any way.”"
Given the addition of Anthony Davis this summer, it was likely that Kuzma’s stats were going to decrease. He was going to be utilized in a different role this summer, coming off the bench as the team’s sixth man.
He has produced the results he was hoping for, but there is still plenty of time left in the season for him to find his groove. We have already seen a glimpse of what he is capable of in this role.
Once he gets healthy and is able to build back up his confidence and continuity with his teammates, he should once again be able to produce and help the Lakers win some basketball games.