Kuzma's Season-High 30 Points Lead Lakers Past Kings 115-94
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Kuzma scored 10 of his season-high 30 points in the fourth quarter and the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers thumped the Sacramento Kings 115-94 on Friday night.
Dennis Schroder had 17 points and eight assists as the Lakers bounced back from a 15-point loss to Milwaukee two nights earlier. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 13 points and 10 rebounds. Markieff Morris had 14 points and eight rebounds.
Already without LeBron James, Anthony Davis and newly signed center Andre Drummond, the Lakers lost reserve guard Wesley Matthews to injury in the first quarter.
It hardly mattered.
Los Angeles led by 13 in the first and stayed comfortably in front the remainder of the game. After Kuzma made his fourth 3-pointer early in the fourth, he converted a three-point play to make it 106-82.
Harrison Barnes had 26 points, five rebounds and five assists for the Kings. De'Aaron Fox, recently selected Western Conference player of the week, scored 12 points on 5-of-20 shooting.
TURNOVERS THE KEY
Los Angeles dominated Sacramento on the boards (54-38), but the difference came in points off turnovers. The Lakers scored 24 points off 15 Kings turnovers, while Sacramento had 11 points off 17 Los Angeles turnovers.
FANS SOON IN CALIFORNIA STANDS
With California set to open for indoor sports, and concerts to resume with limitations on April 15, both the Kings and Lakers are in line to host fans for the first time this season, although neither team has announced a date for that to happen.
The Lakers return from a seven-game road trip and host the Boston Celtics on April 15. The earliest the Kings could let fans back in is April 20 when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden 1 Center.
"We look forward to welcoming Lakers fans back to Staples Center to continue the journey with us to defend our NBA title," the Lakers said in a statement.
The Kings also released a statement regarding the opening: "We are excited about today's announcement regarding indoor professional sports venues and look forward to safely welcoming fans back to the arena in the near future."
TIP-INS
Lakers: Matthews was questionable before the game with a bruised neck and left after appearing to aggravate the injury. He went down and remained on the court for several moments before getting to his feet. After walking off, Matthews dropped to one knee, then got up holding the back of his neck and was helped to the locker room.
Kings: Barnes shot 9 of 10. … First-round draft pick Tyrese Haliburton was held to nine points.
UP NEXT
Lakers: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday afternoon. The Clippers won 116-109 when the teams played in December.
Kings: Play the Bucks on Saturday night. Milwaukee has won four straight on the road and nine overall against Sacramento.
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