The Los Angeles Lakers take on the New York Knicks on Friday at Staples Center and second-year small forward Kyle Kuzma is questionable to play.
Kyle Kuzma suffered a back injury Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder and was forced to leave the game. An MRI confirmed that Kuzma has a contusion in his back.
The Lakers lost to the Thunder by a final score of 107-100.
Kyle Kuzma is questionable for Friday’s game against the #Knicks as MRI confirms back contusion. #Lakers
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) January 3, 2019




In 38 games this year for Los Angeles, Kyle Kuzma is averaging 18.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. The 23-year-old is shooting 47.2 percent from the field, 30.2 percent from beyond the arc and 78.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Kuzma is second on the Lakers in points per game, trailing only LeBron James, who is also out due to the groin injury he suffered on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors.
LA is just 1-3 since LeBron went down with a groin strain. Losing Kyle Kuzma for any period of time would be devastating to the team. If Kuzma can't play versus New York, Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Hart have to step up their games collectively to lead the team.
The Knicks are just 9-29 on the year. Even without LeBron, Kuzma and Rajon Rondo, the Lakers should still beat New York at home on Friday.