The Los Angeles Lakers will be without forward Kyle Kuzma against the Philadelphia 76ers, but will have Josh Hart in the lineup, despite missing Monday's practice with knee tendinitis, according to ClutchPoints' Ryan Ward.
Kuzma is dealing with a sore left hip, which kept him out of Sunday's 116-102 win over the Phoenix Suns. The second-year forward is averaging 19.1 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this season as he leads the charge sans LeBron James.
The 23-year-old has been one of the few bright spots of this season, which has proved a roller-coaster for fans, players, and the front office.
Hart and Brandon Ingram will have to step up with some of their offensive firepower in the absence of their two top scorers in James and Kuzma, hoping center Ivica Zubac can chip in with a big night as well.
The Sixers are expected to play their big guns in Jimmy Butler (wrist) and Joel Embiid, who missed Tuesday's practice with an upset stomach.
Los Angeles has very few weapons to contend with a high-scoring Eastern Conference force like the Sixers, but they are hopeful to get their main cog back on Thursday against their in-city rival Clippers.
If successful, the Lakers could turn the ride of this playoff outlook by beating the Clippers, shaving a full game of difference between them and inching closer to the eighth spot, which the Clippers occupy at 28-23, currently boasting a 1.5-game lead over the 26-24 Lakers.
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