Kyle Kuzma on game-winning shot: 'Jesus could be on me and I'd probably still shoot'
Kyle Kuzma hit perhaps the biggest shot of his NBA career last night, making a 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left to give the Los Angeles Lakers the 124-121 win over the Denver Nuggets.
The third-year power forward was able to hit the shot despite Bol Bol, who is 7-foot-2, recovering nicely to get a hand up to try and contest Kuzma's shot. When asked about Bol's defense, Kuzma gave an answer that demonstrated his growing confidence as a player.
"I think Jesus could be in front of me and I'd probably still shoot," Kuzma said. "I mean, it doesn't really matter to me. I got an open look. It's a play we kind of ran in practice a few times prior to the restart, and Coach had faith in me and called my number and it paid off."
Kuzma has played some of the best basketball in the bubble, averaging 16 points per game while making 44.4% of his three-pointers. If Kuzma is able to play at this level once the playoffs begin, it will be a huge boost for the Lakers, who have struggled to find a clear third option behind LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
The Lakers locked up the no. 1 seed in the Western Conference after just a couple of games in the bubble but have still been trying to regain their rhythm as a team after a four-month hiatus due to the pandemic. Despite some poor play in Orlando, the Lakers remain one of the favorites to represent the West in the Finals.
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