Kyle Kuzma did a whole lot of nothing for the Bucks to open up their 2025 postseason.
Kuzma, 29, had one of the worst individual playoff performances in recent history during Saturday’s 117-98 loss against the Pacers in Indiana.
Through 21 minutes during the Eastern Conference first-round matchup, Kuzma failed to record a single counting stat, shooting 0-for-5 from the field and 0-for-2 from the free-throw line.
Kuzma’s stats added up to a game-worst minus-24 in the plus/minus column from the power forward.
Kyle Kuzma dribbles the ball during the game against the Indiana Pacers during round 1 Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NBAE via Getty Images
The eight-year veteran is just the sixth player in NBA history to not record a single counting stat while playing 20 or more minutes in a playoff game, per multiple reports.
Mike Dunleavy Jr. was the last to do so with the Bulls in 2015, with the others being Bruce Bowen (2008), Brent Barry (2005), Michael Cage (1993), and Maurice Lucas (1986).
Out of the group, Bowen played the most minutes (22:12) during the 2005 Wester Conference semifinals between the Spurs and Sonics.
Kyle Kuzma drives to the basket against Jeremiah Robinson-Earl of the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half of a game at Fiserv Forum on April 10, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Getty Images
Unlike Kuzma, however, Bowen’s Spurs were able to come home with the win.
Kuzma’s performance Saturday seems to echo a consistent trend since being traded to the Bucks earlier this season.
The 2020 NBA champion ranked last out of all qualified players with minus-0.024 win shares per 48 minutes.
Despite the loss in game one for the Bucks, star point guard Damian Lillard is expected to return later in the series after being sidelined for the final stretch of the regular season with deep vein thrombosis.
Kyle Kuzma looks on during the game against the New York Knicks on March 28, 2025 at Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NBAE via Getty Images
Doctors previously noted that Lillard’s recovery process was the fastest they have seen for someone with that diagnosis, citing early treatment before a formal diagnosis as one reason behind his speedy return.
Milwaukee head coach Doc Rivers noted that the team was prepared for Lillard to miss the remainder of the season.
“This could have been career-threatening,” Rivers said Thursday.
“Or it was. The fact there’s a very good chance he’s going to play in the playoffs for us, that’s a godsend.”
