Report: Lakers Rule Out Kyle Kuzma for Season Opener vs. Clippers

At the start of the Los Angeles Lakers’ training camp, the hope was that Kyle Kuzma would be ready to play in the regular season opener.

However, with Tuesday’s opener against the Los Angeles Clippers looming, Kuzma has been ruled out of that contest.

Kuzma suffered a stress fracture in his foot back in August, while he was competing for a spot on the Team USA squad that competed in the FIBA World Cup. At the time, the information offered indicated that Kuzma had suffered an ankle injury.

That diagnosis would later change, though Lakers’ officials didn’t appear worried about the status of Kuzma when training camp began. The veteran forward saw no action in any of the team’s preseason contests.

Kuzma’s health issue was one of multiple injuries the Lakers have had to deal with in recent months. One new acquisition, DeMarcus Cousins, suffered an ACL injury in August that very well could keep him out for the season. Then earlier this month, another new Laker, Anthony Davis, suffered a thumb injury during the Lakers’ trip to China.

During the first two seasons of Kuzma’s NBA career, he’s provided solid contributions on the court. He’s averaged 17.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, and started 68 of the 70 games he played in last year.