SI

Kyle Kuzma Becomes New Meme After Historically Quiet Game in Bucks Loss vs. Pacers

Kuzma became a new meme.

Tim Capurso

Kuzma defends during a game.
Kuzma defends during a game. / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma had a quiet game in his team's 117-98 loss in Game 1 of an Eatsern Conference first round series against the Indiana Pacers.

How quiet?

In 22 minutes of action, Kuzma failed to post a single statistic, racking up zeroes across the board in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. The only marks on Kuzma's ledger were the two fouls he picked up. It's just the sixth time a player has failed to record a single statistic in a playoff game, according to ESPN's Tim Bontemps.

And, unfortunately for Kuzma, NBA fans were not kind in their reactions to his less-than-stellar game, as they turned the Bucks forward into a new meme. Fans compared Kuzma to former NBA player Tony Snell, who is in the infamous meme for zeroes down the board.

It was even pointed out that Kuzma scored as many points in Game 1 as Washington Wizards forward Khris Middleton, whom he was traded for at the trade deadline.

Unsurprisingly, Bucks coach Doc Rivers defended Kuzma while speaking to reporters after the game.

"It's hard to score when you don't touch the ball," Rivers said. "Kyle got two shots in the first half, both with two seconds on the shot clock. Kuzma can play, but we gotta involve him and we gotta make sure we keep him involved."

Kuzma's quiet game gained even more attention given that he was one of the four starters who combined to score just 14 points alongside superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Bucks will have to hope they get a better performance out of Kuzma and their other starters in Game 2.

Fortunately for Kuzma, it's hard for him to be any worse.

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Tim Capurso
TIM CAPURSO

Tim Capurso is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Prior to joining SI in November 2023, he wrote for RotoBaller and ClutchPoints, where he was the lead editor for MLB, college football and NFL coverage. A lifelong Yankees and Giants fan, Capurso grew up just outside New York City and now lives near Philadelphia. When he's not writing, he enjoys reading, exercising and spending time with his family, including his three-legged cat Willow, who, unfortunately, is an Eagles fan.

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