Lakers' Kyle Kuzma ruled out for NBA season opener
Lakers coach Frank Vogel
The Los AngelesLakerssay KyleKuzmawon't play when they open theNBAseasonagainst the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a stress reaction in his left foot.
Kuzma, who averaged 18.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game lastseasonfor theLakers, was hurt while he was with the United States team in the run-up to the World Championships in China.
He was cleared for non-contact practices after theLakersreturned from playing twoNBApreseasongames in China last week.
Lakerscoach Frank Vogel said he wants to seeKuzmado more work before he takes the court in games to be sure he has no setbacks. A stress reaction is a painful condition that is a precursor to a stress fracture.
"We're going to try to increase his workload and activities this week and we'll see where we're at," said Vogel, who described the 24-year-old third-year forward as "probably our third-best player" behind superstar LeBron James and center Anthony Davis.