Kyle Kuzma led his team to a win over the Pistons on Wednesday, but it came at a cost.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the young forward was fined $15,000 after the game for making an “obscene gesture toward a fan.” The moment came in the fourth quarter after Kuz drained a corner three to put his team up 9.
Kyle Kuzma flipped off a fan last night 😂😂😂
(h/t @RealQuintonMayo ) https://t.co/eJTCc8Bsom
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) December 9, 2021
It’s unknown at this time what the fan said to cause that reaction from Kuzma, but it’s safe to say it wasn’t anything positive.
Nevertheless, Kuz was the one who won that battle. Despite having to fork up thousands of dollars, he got the win after dropping 26 points. It was his best game so far in a season that has been a fresh start for the Michigan native.
“You know it’s very fun, obviously, from an individual standpoint,” Kuz said back in November. “This is kind of what I wanted: an opportunity to not be in someone’s shadow. I have the opportunity to come in and lead and use my championship mentality and everything I have learned from those two guys out in L.A.”
So far, Kuzma has seized the opportunity on the court with averages of 13.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game on 42% shooting.
Of course, Kuzma is still the same guy we all know and love. Since the start of his career, he has never been afraid to go after the doubters, haters, and naysayers. In light of this most recent incident, it is clear that remains true for Kuzma today.
As for what’s next for the young stud, nobody knows. While he has shown growth in many areas of his game, he has not yet matched his performance of the 2018-19 season.
Until he does, fans will keep chirping in his ear.
