Kuzma Scores 15 Points in First Quarter vs. Clippers, Finishes With Season-High 25
Dec 25, 2019, 8:44 PM | Updated: Jun 3, 2020, 12:45 pm
Kyle Kuzma #0 of the Los Angeles Lakers and Ivica Zubac #40 of the Los Angeles Clippers battle under the basket in the first half of the game at Staples Center on December 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, California – Former University of Utah forward Kyle Kuzma went off for 15 points in the opening quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas night. The Lakers lost the game 111-106.
Kuzma put his skill set on display in just 5 minutes of play in the first quarter, hitting fall away jump shots from mid-range, and connecting on three 3-point shots. Kuzma was on the bench to begin the game and played 27 minutes total.
🔥 KUZ CONTROL! 🔥@kylekuzma drops 15 1st quarter PTS off the @Lakers bench at @STAPLESCenter! #LakeShow #NBAXmas on ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/ba1lxHfaYY
— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2019
The former Ute kept contributing as the game wore on, hitting clutch jumpers, free throws, and a circus lay-up late in the third quarter. Kuzma finished the game with 25 points, a season-high, adding four rebounds and a steal as well. He had the highest plus-minus rating on the team at +10.
Praise For His Performance
Kuzma’s performance earned him recognition from the NBA’s media. Fox Sports analyst Skip Bayless touted Kuzma as one of the biggest reasons for the Lakers’ success, saying, “the Lakers will go as far as Kyle Kuzma carries them. He’s the closer, the X factor, the one shooter who can go crazy hot.”
As I always say, the Lakers will go as far as Kyle Kuzma carries them. He's the closer, the X factor, the one shooter who can go crazy hot. Tonight, he has been the opener.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) December 26, 2019
Kuzma and the Lakers will be back in action against the Portland Trailblazers Saturday night. The Blazers first have a date in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz on Thursday.
