3. Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers
Last week: 5th (↑2)
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma hasn’t let Lonzo Ball’s shooting woes affect his game. Kuzma is on a scoring tear of his own and it’s just in time, as the Lakers are looking to make a final playoff push.
The stretch-4 has put up 20 points or more in four of the last five games for Los Angeles. In their last contest against the Memphis Grizzlies, Kuzma put up the 15th double-double of the season. He racked up 25 points and 10 rebounds in a 100-93 victory.
He’s made at least one 3-pointer in a game since Feb. 4, a streak that’s difficult enough considering how many games players play in a season. In fact, over his last five games, Kuzma is shooting 17-for-40 (42.5 percent) from 3-point range.
Kuzma is beginning to assert himself in the Los Angeles rotation since the departure of Larry Nance Jr. It will be interesting to see how he responds next season if he’s still in the starting lineup.