2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 10 power rankings

11 of 11

Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images /

1. Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers

Last rank: No. 4 (↑ 3)

The Los Angeles Lakers got a big game from rookie Kyle Kuzma on Wednesday night and in turn a big victory over the Houston Rockets. Kuzma put up a career-high 38 points, along with seven rebounds and four assists as the Lakers pulled off a 122-116 upset, snapping a 14-game winning streak in the process.

Kuzma poured in a career-high seven 3-pointers as he showed his accuracy from beyond the arc. His 38 points off the bench overshadowed a 51-point outing from Houston’s James Harden.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/943690494822858754

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Lakers. They lost 116-114 in overtime to the Golden State Warriors despite 26 points from Kuzma on Monday night. Kuzma and company will get a rematch against the Warriors tonight.

Next: 2017-18 Week 10 NBA Power Rankings

After such a hot shooting game, head coach Luke Walton should be finding a way to start Kyle Kuzma over Andrew Bogut. Kuzma and Nance Jr. could pose as a more viable threat on offense, after all. The liabilities always lie on defense, but when facing the Warriors, throwing in a curveball is always necessary when thinking about winning in the end.