LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers had to start the 2019-20 NBA season without their longest-tenured player, Kyle Kuzma. The third-year forward was dealing with a foot injury that kept him in street clothes for four games.
Once Kuzma was able to return to the floor for the Lakers, the 24-year-old struggled with his shooting in limited minutes off the bench. Conditioning also seemed to be issued as he tried to get back up to speed.
After four rough shooting performances, Kuzma has started to get back to form as he's shot 46 percent or better in the last three games while coming off arguably his best game of the season. The Lakers forward scored 22 points on Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors and helped shoulder the scoring load with LeBron James with Anthony Davis on the mend.
“Just playing basketball,” Kuzma on getting his rhythm back. “I think that's the biggest thing. [I'm] getting my conditioning back [to better] be able to run, cut, and get my legs back under me in my shots so I can do all the things I do. Tonight, I focused on picking my shots. I think the last two games I've done a great job picking my spots, knowing where I'm going to get my shots, being patient, not rushing shots when I don't have to, and I think all of that comes with getting my timing back.”
Along with his shot starting to come around, Kuzma also sees the strength in his legs doing the same.
“I'm not doing anything different,” Kuzma said. “I'm taking the same shots I did during the previous games when I was coming back. I've just been playing more basketball, so my legs are getting stronger.”
With Davis dealing with a nagging shoulder injury and an issue with his ribs, the Lakers will need to continue to lean on Kuzma in case their new superstar needs to sit out more games moving forward. Kuzma getting back to form is great news for a team that has already shown to be a championship-caliber squad.
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