Kyle Kuzma is clutch. That’s a fact. It’s no longer a perceived reputation, it’s a fact. Whenever the Washington Wizards need a bucket late, they turn to the 6-foot-10 forward and he delivers.
Monday night against the Charlotte Hornets, Kuzma delivered with 14 of his season-high 36 points in the fourth quarter. He did so behind four three-pointers.
His first trey of the frame helped spark an 11-0 run by the Wizards to regain the lead. His second and third were a trade off with Terry Rozier just under three minutes that ultimately gave the Wizards a 111-109 advantage.
Rozier responded with four unanswered points that pulled the Hornets in front 113-111. But with just over a minute to play, Beal found Kuzma sinking to the corner on a kick out. Kuzma drained his fourth three of the quarter that put Washington ahead for good.
On a night in which Beal scored 35 points and Deni Avidja got the start on his 21st birthday, it belonged to Kuzma.
His 36 points was his most in a Wizards uniform and fifth-most of his career. He also led the team with 14 rebounds and added six assists along the way.
Kuzma joined Beal and Russell Westbrook as the only Wizards players with 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists all while hitting at least five threes, according to StatMuse. Kuzma made six of 11 Monday night.
The win was the first in three games against the Charlotte Hornets this season. It also pushed Washington (19-18) above .500.
Washington entered Monday with nine players in COVID protocols. But it has been Kuzma who has stepped up the most. He has increased his scoring with 22, 25, 29 and now 36 points in his last four games.
He’s also been the catalyst crashing the boards with three straight double-doubles with rebounds. His impact rings loud, but it’s glaring when he is knocking down clutch shots late in games.
Finally out of the shadows of LeBron James and Anthony Davis with the Lakers, Kuzma is proving to a leader for the Wizards. On a Wizards team with Beal and sharpshooter Davis Bertans, Kuzma has emerged as the closer.
