The Bucks traded for Kyle Kuzma to be their X-factor. However, his stats in game 1 against the Pacers? 22 minutes. 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists. When the final buzzer sounded on Milwaukee’s playoff loss to Indiana, Kyle Kuzma’s empty box score spoke volumes. Kuzma became the first Buck since 1973 to log 20+ postseason minutes with a zero across the stat line. The Pacers’ defensive pressure made him completely disappear. Actually, Giannis Antetokounmpo was the only player on Milwaukee who showed up. Contributing with 36 points, 13 rebounds, and two blocks in a 123-115 loss to the Pacers in Game 2.

The internet exploded: Twitter trolls, Reddit threads, and Instagram hot takes went viral. News outlets were labelling his performance as “historically bad.” That night didn’t just raise questions about Kuzma’s play; it also forced the Bucks front office to rethink their offseason calculus. Was it worth giving up on their three-time NBA All-Star? The front office must’ve gone on a roster calculus. But while most of the viewers raged, the veterans who’ve survived playoff wars just nodded.

Dwight Howard came to his defense on Above The Rim With DH12, breaking down why box scores don’t tell the full story. Mu Real asked Dwight, “What do you guys feel about that stat line? Y’all played in the league, but man, it’s tough for a casual fan to see that.” To which he responded in a supportive manner. He said, “You gotta understand the playoffs is a whole different atmosphere.” He went on to explain the difference between a regular season, where “the game plan changes every gam,e” versus the playoffs.

He completely shut the debate by saying, “It’s so many different factors that could come into play with why he didn’t have one good game, but again, it’s one game.” He was affirmative that Kuzma will bounce back from this once he gets into the groove and understands what the other team is doing. Listening to Dwight’s composed response is also a reflection of the fact that instances like this one aren’t uncommon during playoffs.

Remember Luc Mbah a Moute in 2018, Rockets vs. Wolves, Game 2? 21 minutes, 0 points, 0 assists, 0 steals/ blocks. He was still an important part of the 65-win Houston team. Even players like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant have had their fair share of playoff lows. Kuzma’s 0-point night will be forgotten if he drops 20 next game. The NBA has a short memory; just do what Tatum did, drop 50 after your worst night.

What Milwaukee Saw in Kyle Kuzma That Twitter Missed

Kyle Kuzma has proven that he’s a clutch scorer with a knack for big moments. For instance, his 23-point 4th quarter against the Rockets in 2021 or game-winning shots for the Wizards. At his best, he is a three-level scorer with size, confidence, and experience. Kuzma’s versatility (17+ PPG last two seasons) and off-ball movement made him the perfect fit alongside Giannis and Dame. His 2022–23 campaign featured a streak of five 30-point games, including a 31-point outing vs. Sacramento on March 21, 2024—proof of his capacity to carry a scoring load when needed

The Bucks’ front office was particularly enticed by his Jan. 1, 2023 duel at Fiserv Forum, where Kuzma torched Milwaukee for 36 points on 13-for-23 shooting and posted a +21 plus/minus in Washington’s 118-95 rout—an emphatic sample of what he could bring next to Giannis and Lillard. In that game, he exploited mid-range pull-ups and baseline floaters, revealing an arsenal that complements Milwaukee’s playmakers

The Bucks bet on his adaptability. He is a player who could excel as a focal point or seamlessly blend into the system. When he scored 36 points against the Bucks in 2023, resulting +21 in a Wizards win, we think that was the game that likely sold them on him. What sealed the deal? Kuzma’s positional chameleon act. He spent minutes at small forward, power forward, and even spot center in lineups that needed spacing. That kind of versatility lets coaches dance through matchups and keeps opponents guessing

So why the zero-point disaster against Indiana? Simple, if he had gotten loose, his history says he would’ve burned them. Milwaukee knew that, and so did Indiana. They switched aggressively, denied touches, and prioritized shutting him down over even Giannis at times. That’s respect. Now it’s Kuzma’s turn to adjust, and that’s when he’s at his best.