The injury troubles continue for the Los Angeles Lakers.
After an injury-plagued 2018-19 season that included major injuries to LeBron James, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball, the Lakers are already struggling with the injury bug and we haven’t even reached media day. First, newly signed DeMarcus Cousins tore his ACL in a pickup game, and now third-year man Kyle Kuzma is dealing with a left foot injury that he sustained in FIBA exhibition action for Team USA. Marc Stein of the NY Times had the following to say regarding the issue and how it is healing slower than planned:
The Lakers increasingly fear Kuzma will not be ready for the start of training camp as his left foot continues to heal, league sources say. LA"s first two practices are Saturday
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 24, 2019
When Kyle Kuzma was initially diagnosed with the injury, the thought was that he was held out of continued Team USA games as a precaution. As we saw with most elite NBA players, the 2019-20 NBA season is much more important to the players/NBA organizations than the FIBA Tournament, so it made sense that Kuzma was being held out more so because of caution than actual injury severity. Marc Stein even noted that “ankle soreness” was the initial diagnosis.
Sadly, it seems as though the injury was more serious than everyone previously thought. Health might be the most important thing for this team, with Kyle Kuzma’s development probably being a close second. He will most likely be asked to do a lot more for this Lakers team than he’s done so in the past. Missing the early portion of training camp is not a good start for Kuz, and I’m sure the Lakers are nervous, especially because many NBA superstars (including Kevin Durant) have had foot injuries derail their seasons before.
Stay updated with us on any more news regarding Kuzma and his left foot injury.
