Lakers' Kyle Kuzma suffers lower back contusion

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Thursday, January 3, 2019

Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma suffered a lower back contusion in Wednesday's loss to the Thunder, MRI results Thursday showed.

The forward is questionable for Friday's game against the New York Knicks, according to the Lakers.

Kuzma, the Lakers' second-leading scorer this season with an 18.3 points-per-game average, was limited to just four points on 1-for-4 shooting, 1 rebound, 1 assist and 3 steals in 16 minutes against the Thunder. He exited the game at halftime and did not return after having his back examined by Lakers athletic trainer Marco Nuñez.

L.A. was already without LeBron James (strained groin), Rajon Rondo (hand surgery) and Michael Beasley (personal reasons) for the Oklahoma City game.