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The Los Angeles Lakers are going into their Monday night Las Vegas Summer League game against the Sacramento Kings without most of the headlining talents of their summer squad. Kyle Kuzma is one of four Lakers out against Sacramento, missing the team’s third exhibition game due to cramps, the team announced hours before tip-off.
Kuzma is coming off a dominant performance against the Boston Celtics, dropping a game-high 31 points while splashing five of his 10 three-point attempts. Not only will the Lakers be without Kuzma, but Lonzo Ball (sore groin), Josh Hart (right ankle sprain) and Brandon Ingram (shut down after Game 1) are also out against Sacramento.
Thomas Bryant is also listed as probable, dealing with left knee soreness.
That leaves the Lakers without the core of their summer league team, leaving players like Vander Blue, David Nwaba, Ivica Zubac and the rest of the undrafted players that make up the roster to pick up the slack.
Monday against the Kings will be a tough outing for the shorthanded Lakers, but ultimately the long-term goals of the franchise take priority.