Kyle Kuzma Impresses in Return, Leads Washington Wizards Over Portland Trail Blazers

Kyle Kuzma returned from a four-game absence on Tuesday night and delivered the Washington Wizards a dominant 126-101 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. The forward accumulated 33 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in 36 minutes.

there was a lot to love about a wire-to-wire win on Valentines Day 👐

🎥 team highlights, presented by @Verizon ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nRtbQohUWb
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) February 15, 2023

Kuzma has been out since spraining his ankle in a February 4th 125-123 loss to the Brooklyn Nets, but he showed no rust in his comeback game. He hit 11 of 20 field goal attempts, including a deadly six of 10 from three. It was his eighth 30+ point game of the season.

At 27 years old, Kuzma is in the middle of a career year with the Wizards, averaging career-bests in points per game (21.5), assists per game (4.0), and true shooting percentage (.551) over his 52 appearances. It hasn't equated to much success for the Wizards this season: they're 27-30 and 10th in the Eastern Conference standings. The Wizards' veteran trio of Kuzma, Kristaps Porzingis, and Bradley Beal appears to have plateaued; without radical changes, the team appears to be stuck on a treadmill of mediocrity.

The Wizards will end a three-game road trip with a visit to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night.