The Los Angeles Lakers have their first (preseason) game tonight at Staples Center, as the team gets ready to face off against the Golden State Warriors. That entire sentence right there should be enough to create excitement, but LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and D’Angelo Russell will not be playing in the matchup. All of that is somewhat surprising, but not really given that it’s the preseason and the Lakers just got back from a weird China trip where Davis was injured. Another play not playing in tonight’s matchup, which wasn’t surprising at all, was Kyle Kuzma who continues to recover from a left foot stress reaction he sustained in August with Team USA.
The game was able to garner some excitement for Lakers fans, and it didn’t even have to tip-off. This was because head coach Frank Vogel was able to give Lakers fans an update on Kuzma before the game, saying he’s cleared for non-contact practice with the team (via Dave McMenamin/ESPN).
Kyle Kuzma has been cleared for non-contact practice, according to Frank Vogel.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) October 15, 2019
We were expected to get updates on Kyle Kuzma’s injury tonight (as well as Davis’), and the news is definitely positive. This wasn’t surprising, as Kuzma seemed to give us some good vibes regarding his injury with this tweet earlier in the day.
Can’t wait to hoop ahhhh
— kuz (@kylekuzma) October 14, 2019
Now with that being said, there’s definitely no guarantee that Kuzma is ready to suit up for the season opener next Tuesday, the 22nd, against the Los Angeles Clippers. In fact, you can almost completely rule it out, as Pete Zayas of Locked on Lakers and Silver Screen & Roll details below:
…whether or not they check certain boxes. The team has a new training staff this year, but that's likely still the progression. So how quickly Kuz comes back will depend on how quickly he can clear that.
In the past it's been 10-ish days but it depends on circumstances. 2/2
— Laker Film Room (@LakerFilmRoom) October 15, 2019
Ten days from now would be October 24th, which would be the day before the Lakers’ second game against the Utah Jazz. Zayas’ timetable is definitely not set-in-stone as he states that the training staff is completely different this year, but either way, you have to imagine he won’t make it next Tuesday as he hasn’t even started contact drills yet.
