On Jan. 10, the Wizards beat the Magic 102-100, and Kuzma played his career-best, contributing 27 points and 22 rebounds. This battle Kuzma brushed the record and proved his ability. Do the Lakers regret sending him away?
First, Kuzma set a career high for rebounding.
Second, Kuzma hit a double-20 for the first time in his career.
Third, Kuzma scored 20+ in seven consecutive games, setting a career record.
Fourth, Kuzma became the first player in Wizards history to play a 25+20 stat since Chris Webb in 1997.
Fifth, Kuzma became the first player in Wizards history to play 20+20 since Jamison in 2010.
Kuzma has been in excellent form lately, he feels like he's broken through a barrier, he's become more confident on the offensive end, and even if he doesn't feel good at three points, he can adjust his scoring style, use breakthroughs and fouls to kill opponents. For example, in the previous two games, the Rockets and Bulls totaled 0-of-12 three-pointers, but he still scored 20 points.
Kuzma has rebounded in double figures on 5 of those 7 games. Kuzma has been very fierce in rebounding this season, averaging 8.7 rebounds per game, setting a career high.
In this game, Beale's poor hand was 7 of 22 shots, Dinwiddie scored only 8 points on 3 of 8 shots, and substitute point guard Neto shot 7 of 0. Fortunately, Kuzma was very efficient, shooting 10-of-19. Kuzma was the number one contributor to the team's narrow win, with the Wizards trailing four points 67-71 to the final quarter, and the team won 35-29 in the final quarter. Kuzma scored 14 points in the final quarter.
Kuzma has had a period of ups and downs since joining the Wizards, but now he's at his best, playing the best of his career. Kuzma is one of the Lakers' chips for Wei Shao. Now the Lakers play a small lineup, in fact, Kuzma is very good in the small lineup. Do the Lakers regret sending Kuzma away?