The Los Angeles Lakers were fourth in the Western Conference as of Christmas Day. While it should have been a joyous occasion on a joyful day, it turned out to be the beginning of the end for the Lakers season. Both LeBron James and Rajon Rondo went down with injuries which shifted the momentum of the season and ended up pushing the Lakers out of a playoff spot. The team is 5.5 games back of the eighth spot in the West and with just 18 games left, things aren't looking too good. According to ESPN, the next week will be even harder for the team as young star Kyle Kuzma will be out with an ankle injury.
Kuzma reportedly suffered the injury during the fourth quarter of the team's matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night. After the injury, Kuzma underwent an MRI which revealed a minor ankle sprain. His injury just adds to the list of bad things that have happened to this Lakers team this year. Kuzma was one of the few beacons of light for the team this season so his absence just pours salt on a very large and fresh wound.
The Lakers are currently tenth in the Western Conference with a record of 30-34.