Kyle Kuzma had a subpar outing for the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, as his team lost 120-105 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Staples Center. Following the defeat, Kuzma admitted that he has been suffering from a lingering hip injury, which has had an adverse affect on his recent play.
Kyle Kuzma said his hip has been bothering him since the Houston game, and he was feeling it more tonight. He added he’s glad they have two days before the next game (Sunday vs Phoenix) to get treatment.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) January 25, 2019
The Lakers took on the Houston Rockets on Saturday, which means that this is already the third game Kuzma has been bothered by his hip. The injury, however, did not appear to have much of an effect on him in the previous two games, wherein he scored 32 points (vs. the Rockets) and 16 points (vs. the Golden State Warriors on Monday) in back-to-back games.
Thursday night was a different story, though, as the 23-year-old managed only 10 points on 4-of-12 shooting. Kuzma also went 0-of-4 from deep, but was able to chip in four rebounds and four assists in a losing effort.
Lakers head coach Luke Walton echoed Kuzma's statement, saying that in his mind, his young star did not look a hundred percent healthy on the evening.
Luke Walton on Kyle Kuzma: “He didn’t look right to me…he didn’t look like his normal self tonight.” #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 25, 2019
Kuzma's hip issue is only the latest in the slew of injuries that have crippled the Lakers or late. The team are still without LeBron James (groin), and they just recently lost sophomore guard Lonzo Ball for 4-6 weeks due to a sprained ankle.
Unfortunately for the Lakers — who have currently lost three straight — such is the life in the NBA. They cannot use injuries as an excuse, and the team will just have to suck it up and keep on playing hard if they hope to keep the Playoff hopes alive.
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