Kyle Kuzma exploded for 35 points in the Rising Stars Challenge, leading Team USA to a 166-144 victory while supassing Kobe Bryant’s previous record (31) for most points scored by a Los Angeles Lakers player in a Rising Stars game, and winning MVP in the process.
Kuzma was incredible right from the jump, scoring a game-high 23 points by halftime in just 11 first-half minutes before saying in his halftime interview on TNT that he wanted to use the game to keep in shape for the Lakers’ run to the postseason while they’re off for the NBA All-Star break, but that he also had one more goal in mind for the exhibition.