Los Angeles Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma was ruled out for the remainder of Friday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a mild left ankle sprain. Kuzma initially suffered the injury in the second quarter but continued playing.
He was removed for good six minutes into the third quarter. Kuzma finished the night with just two points on 1-for-6 shooting, to go along with three rebounds. It snapped his streak of 20-point games at 10, which were the most by a Lakers rookie since Magic Johnson in 1979-80.
The injury also casts doubt on whether Kuzma can produce a fifth 30-point game of the season. His four such performances is another rookie mark shared with Johnson.
But of greater concern for the Lakers is Kuzma joins an already long injury list. Lonzo Ball missed a fifth consecutive game due a left knee contusion, and Brandon Ingram sat for a fourth straight game because of a concussion.
Lakers head coach Luke Walton said Friday both players continued to show signs of improvement, and he was not inclined to deem either out for the remainder of the season.
In addition to a balky left ankle, Kuzma was already playing a right ankle he sprained in the middle of March.
After Friday, the Lakers have games remaining Sunday, Tuesday Wednesday. Each of the three will be played at Staples Center, though the Clippers are the designated home game for the season finale.