Latest Los Angeles Lakers rumors on Chris Paul, Kyle Kuzma injury, more

2. Kyle Kuzma to return to lineup tonight

Kyle Kuzma wanted to come back in. Unfortunately, after taking Darius Bazley’s finger to the eye on Tuesday night, the Lakers’ training staff played it safe and kept him on the sideline. That was probably a good call considering he suffered an eye abrasion.

With that said, it looks like Kuzma will be reinserted into the lineup during Friday’s showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team confirmed this fact via Twitter.

The ocular trauma was the latest setback that forced Kuzma to miss action this season.

The Lakers’ third wheel was unable to go in the team’s first four games due to a foot injury, and took some time to get into the swing of things. After a couple of rough outings upon his return, Kuzma had since found his footing, averaging 18 points and 4.8 rebounds per game and shooting 50 percent from the field in the five games prior to Tuesday’s run-in with Bazley.

Now back in action, Kuzma will look to keep his eye protected. At least, he was when he practiced on Thursday.

The Lakers will be glad to have him back in the rotation, especially with Anthony Davis nursing a sore right shoulder.