DETROIT – Michigan native and Los Angeles Lakers rookie Kyle Kuzma is raising eyebrows around the NBA.
Kuzma, a 2017 first round draft pick out of Utah, is averaging 17 points and six rebounds per game in his first NBA season.
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On Wednesday night, Kuzma scored 38 points, including seven three-pointers against the first place Houston Rockets - garnering the approval of one Lakers legend.
Kobe Bryant tweeted after the game with a co-sign for the ages.
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) December 21, 2017
As for Kuzma, he wasn't all that impressed with his career high performance.
"Why not? I scored 30s in summer league, so...," he said before trailing off.
The stakes were a little higher Wednesday night. Kuzma helped the Lakers overcome James Harden's 51 points and end the Rockets' winning streak at 14 games with a 122-116 victory.
"It's a better team but it's the same mentality," Kuzma said. "I've got the same mentality every time I step on the court. I try to play my hardest and just be locked in."
Houston lost for the first time since Nov. 14, while the Lakers snapped a three-game skid. It was tied before Los Angeles scored 10 straight points — while Houston missed seven shots in a row — to go up 110-100 with about four minutes left.
Kuzma was unstoppable in the first half, making all nine of his shots, including six 3-pointers. He cooled a bit after the break and finished 12 of 17 overall and 7 of 10 from deep.
Kuzma is a Flint native who attended Swartz Creek Community Schools and Bentley High School, where he averaged nearly 18 points and 15 rebounds per game in his junior year.