The Milwaukee Bucks traded Khris Middleton, one of their franchise legends, in February for Kyle Kuzma in part not knowing what his availability would be given his injury history.
The 29-year-old Kuzma was available on Saturday in Game 1 of the Bucks’ first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers.
But that didn’t actually lead to good things for the Bucks as they fell behind early and never recovered in a 117-98 loss in the series opener at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Kuzma’s final stat line in 22 minutes was full of zeros to complete a historically bad showing.
Zero points. Zero rebounds. Zero assists. Zero steals. Zero blocks.
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It was a forgettable first playoff start after appearing off the bench in 27 career postseason games with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and 2021.
Kuzma wasn’t the only starter who didn’t score in the loss. Taurean Prince, a 3-point specialist, was scoreless after missing his only shot in 20 minutes. Ryan Rollins (five points) and Bobby Portis (four points) also struggled from the field, both shooting 2 of 8. As a whole, the Bucks shot 9 of 37 from 3-point range in an overall horrendous start to the playoffs.
But it was Kuzma’s stat line that had the attention of the NBA world on social media.
NBA social media reacts to Kyle Kuzma
Kyle Kuzma stats vs Pacers
- Minutes: 22
- FG%: 0 for 5 (0%)
- 3P%: 0 for 2 (0%)
- FT%: 0 for 2 (0%)
- Rebounds: 0
- Assists: 0
- Steals: 0
- Blocks: 0
- Fouls: 2
- +/-: -24
