Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers played Kyle Kuzma 12 minutes (whole first quarter) in their last regular season game, which he said aimed at getting his shots going heading into the postseason.
The playoffs came and what happened?
Kuzma shot blanks.
The February acquisition played terribly in the game. He had zero point, rebound, assist, steal, block in 21.5 minutes of play. He also had the lowest +/- among all players with -24.
Real Sports website said it was the most minutes by a playoff starter with no points ever.
The Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers by a blow out, 98-117.
Not even Giannis Antetokounmpo’s double double of 36 points and 12 rebounds was enough.
The internet had a field day over Kuzma’s game.
Kyle Kuzma today:
0 Points
0 Rebounds
0 Assists
0 Steals
0 Blocks
22 Minutes pic.twitter.com/qC6bJpUzQS— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 19, 2025
Kyle Kuzma has done it! The second time this season a player has recorded 0 PTS/REB/AST/STL/BLK in = or > 20 mins played.
He joins this regular season fraternity from the last decade (left) and also those who have accomplished it in the playoffs (right), the first in a decade! pic.twitter.com/z5Jgl5LVYT
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 19, 2025
Kyle Kuzma is a great example of availability actually being the worst ability
— Tęrräñøvå (Overly Positive Pal) (@TerranovaNoah) April 19, 2025
Doc Rivers defend Kyle Kuzma
While the internet is feasting on Kuzma’s awful performance, his coach is adamant that it was just a bad day. Or bad execution.
Rivers blames the way they spread around the ball and Kuzma’s limited touches for his performance.
“It’s hard to score when you don’t touch the ball,” Rivers told reporters after the game.
“I mean, Kyle had two shots in the first half, both with two seconds on the shot clock. So, like, Kuzma can play. But we gotta involve him. And we gotta make sure we keep him involved.”
Kuzma, Rivers, and the rest of the Bucks will have a two-day rest to redeem themselves in Game 2.
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