The Bucks’ 2025 playoff opener had a weird sense of familiarity—someone dropped a 0-0-0 stat line. As rare as that is, it’s not the first time. Tim Hardaway Jr. had the same in the 2024 Finals, and Dwight Powell did it too in the 2024 West Semis. This goes to show that, even in the playoffs, not every night’s a highlight reel. However, the context of a crucial Game 1 amplifies the scrutiny on such performances.
The Bucks had a rough start to the 2025 playoffs, losing Game 1 to the Pacers 117–98. Giannis Antetokounmpo was his usual dominant self, putting up 36 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, but the rest of the team just couldn’t get it going. The real low point was Kyle Kuzma.
He played over 21 minutes but somehow finished with a stat line of 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, and 0 steals. This came as a shock for one of the former NBA stars, and he couldn’t control his disbelief.
DeMarcus “Boogie” Cousins didn’t hold back on this one—he went full unfiltered. He called Kuzma’s stat-less night “unacceptable” and even went as far as labeling it “diabolical.” Coming from a guy who’s battled in big games, Boogie’s expectations were sky-high. “I expect more. You’re a champion. You’ve done this before,” he said, almost like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
That “highly disappointed” wasn’t just analysis—it was personal. You could tell he expected leadership, not a disappearing act. Cousins’ strong reaction underscores the heightened expectations placed on players with a championship pedigree in critical playoff matchups.
Mar 5, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma (18) reacts in the third quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
What makes it sting even more? This is the guy the Bucks brought in instead of keeping Khris Middleton. And sure, Middleton’s had his injury battles this season—but he still averaged 15.1 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds on nearly 49% shooting. That’s steady, veteran production—not zeros across the board in a playoff game.
Fans were livid. Even Boogie couldn’t hold back and threw in a jab that hit hard: “I never thought I’d see a guy outdo Tony Snell.” That’s not just a diss—it’s a reference with sting. Even Kuzma knew it was rough. After logging a historically bad performance in Game 1, he didn’t try to dodge the truth. “Definitely a stinker, for sure,” he admitted, but also pointed out that it’s a long series. Reflecting on what went wrong, he said, “Just understanding what I need to do. You know, can’t wait for the ball. Can’t wait for things to happen, kind of just got to go get it. So just find myself, and get into action on my own rebound.” It’s clear he’s trying to take the lesson from it and adjust for Game 2.
Head coach Doc Rivers, to his credit, had Kuzma’s back. He acknowledged the off night but emphasized that they, as a team, need to do a better job putting Kuz in spots where he can score and contribute. That kind of support might be exactly what Kuzma needs to bounce back.
But it does raise a fair question—was this just a one-off disaster, or are we seeing a pattern with Kuzma under playoff pressure?
Is Kyle Kuzma miscast in Milwaukee?
It’s difficult to watch as Kuzma’s problems with the Milwaukee Bucks mirror those he had with the Washington Wizards. With Damian Lillard out with a blood clot, Kuzma is now being forced into a similar role with the Bucks, much as in Washington, where he was frequently asked to bear the load offensively. Kuzma is obviously not designed to be the main offensive creator. His strengths lie in secondary scoring, transition offense, and rebounding from the wing, rather than initiating complex offensive sets.
There is a sharp contrast when you look at Kristaps Porzingis. After joining the Boston Celtics, Porzingis discovered a more appropriate role as a floor-spacing big man and rim defender after having been miscast as Washington’s main offensive weapon at first. The outcomes have been outstanding, and Porzingis was essential to Boston’s successful postseason run. But Kuzma’s circumstances in Milwaukee are much less stable. He is having trouble finding his rhythm and is being expected to do too much offensively. This role isn’t working out for him, as seen by his recent “trillion.” Porzingis’s successful transition highlights the importance of role definition and how a player’s effectiveness can be maximized when placed in a system that complements their strengths.
Kuzma’s finest NBA moments occurred while he was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, where he flourished as a backup player, mostly as a defender and rebounder who could make baskets when necessary. He appeared most at ease in that situation, and he appears to be very good at it. However, he is asked to accomplish too much in Milwaukee. Being positioned as the primary attacking option is ill-suited for a guy with his skill set. Kuzma is obviously much more effective when he is not the center of the offense, even though the Bucks are hoping for more from him.
To get the most out of Kuzma going forward, the Bucks will need to reassess his position, particularly because Lillard’s return may cause the offensive load to change. These fit flaws will continue to be revealed by the playoff pressure, but the Bucks could unlock his full potential with the right changes. Only time will tell if he can rediscover his groove or if Milwaukee needs to make bigger changes to their lineup. The Bucks’ coaching staff faces the challenge of adapting their offensive schemes to better utilize Kuzma’s strengths upon Lillard’s return, potentially shifting him into a more complementary role.
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