Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma led Team USA to a 161-144 beatdown of Team World in the Rising Stars Game on Friday, finishing with 35 points in 22 minutes. The sophomore guard's stellar performance was rewarded by him winning the MVP honors.
After the game, Kuzma said that he used the game to keep himself conditioned, as the Los Angeles Lakers are in the middle of a week-long break due to the All-Star festivities. Also, he added that there's an extra motivation as to why he played well in the Rising Stars Challenge.
The $25,000 bonus.
Kyle Kuzma said after the game that he was out to lead Team USA to win this game to get the $25,000 bonus that goes to the winning team.
Was he being serious?
"Facts."
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) February 16, 2019
That bonus is well deserved.
Kuzma broke the all-time record for most points scored by a Laker in a Rising Stars game. Kobe Bryant previously held the title with the 31 points he scored in 1997, when the format of the game was still between rookies and sophomores.
The American team also got impressive performances from Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, Utah Jazz's Donovan Mitchell, and Atlanta Hawks' Trae Young, who each scored at least 20 points.
Team World was led by Philadelphia 76ers Ben Simmons, who finished with 28 points. Dallas Mavericks' rookie sensation Luka Doncic had a decent performance in the game, finishing with 13 points and nine assists.
Now that the Rising Stars Challenge is over, Kuzma is no longer going to see action for the remainder of the All-Star festivities, meaning he has all the time in the world to rest and prepare for the Lakers' postseason push that will resume when they face the Houston Rockets on Friday.
The Lakers have 25 games left, and Kuzma is one of the players they are expecting to step up big time if they still intend to make the playoffs.
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