Lakers' Kuzma close to return
Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma could make his season debut with the team this week.
Kuzma was assigned to the South Bay Lakers for practice Wednesday on rehab assignment from a foot injury and will be re-assigned to the NBA Lakers immediately after practice.
Kuzma was cleared for half-court, full-contact work last Friday, which was the first large step forward in his progression from the injury, which originated during FIBA World Cup preparation this summer. The Lakers said the workout lasted only 12 minutes by design, as it was the first exercise of its kind for Kuzma in more than 60 days. But on Sunday, he repeated the workout and came out of it fully healthy.
Kuzma could return this weekend.
The Lakers travel to Texas for games with the Dallas Mavericks (Friday) and San Antonio Spurs (Sunday) this weekend.
Kuzma, 24, was shut down fully when diagnosed with a stress reaction. Head coach Frank Vogel described him as "impatient" with the injury but added Kuzma is on board with the team's plan of slowly progressing toward regular playing time.
He averaged 18.7 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists in his second NBA season in 2018-19.
--Field Level Media
