The Los Angeles Lakers host the New York Knicks on Friday night, and the team will be without second-year small forward Kyle Kuzma.

Kuzma injured his back on Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. An MRI revealed that Kuzma has a contusion in his back.

Kyle Kuzma has played in 38 games for the Lakers this season. The scoring swingman is averaging 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game while shooting an efficient shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 30.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 78.0 percent from the free-throw line.

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Los Angeles enters its matchup against the Knicks with a record of 21-17, good for eighth place in the Western Conference standings. Kuzma joins star LeBron James and veteran point guard Rajon Rondo on the team's injury list.

The Knicks have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. New York is just 9-29 on the year. Even without James, Kuzma, and Rondo, the Lakers should be able to defeat the Knicks, especially since they are at home. Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, and Brandon Ingram will have to step up their games and lead the club to a win.

It is unclear how long Kyle Kuzma is going to be sidelined for. Kuzma dealt with back issues during his rookie season as well.