Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma is questionable for his team's game against the New York Knicks on Friday night due to a back injury, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN (h/t ClutchPoints' Ryan Ward).
Kyle Kuzma (back contusion) still remains questionable for tonight’s game against the #Knicks.
Michael Beasley could return tonight and help fill the void left by Kuzma if he’s ruled out. #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 4, 2019
Additionally, forward Michael Beasley has returned to the team after a month-long absence while tending to his mother, who sadly passed away just before Christmas.
Kuzma initially injured his back during the Lakers' loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, exiting after 16 minutes of play. He scored four points before leaving.
On the year, Kuzma has played in 38 games and is averaging 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists over 32.6 minutes a night while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor, 30.2 percent from three-point range and 78 percent from the free-throw line.
The 23-year-old, who played his collegiate basketball at the University of Utah, was originally selected by Los Angeles in the first round (27th pick overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft.
He had a terrific rookie campaign, posting 16.1 points and 6.3 boards per game, making 45.0 percent of his field-goal attempts, 36.6 percent of his long-distance tries and 70.7 percent of his foul shots.
Many felt he could go in a trade for Toronto Raptors star forward Kawhi Leonard this past summer but the Lakers did not want to part with the youngster.
Beasley has played in just 10 contests for Los Angeles this season, averaging 4.4 points across 7.1 minutes per game while shooting 51.4 percent from the field.
He signed with the Lakers this past summer after spending the 2017-18 campaign with the New York Knicks, where he appeared in 74 games and recorded 13.2 points per game.
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