The heavily-favored Milwaukee Bucks wasted a sensational Kyle Kuzma performance with a loss to the previously lowly Sacramento Kings. With the Bucks playing sluggish basketball, Kuzma kept the team alive for most of the fourth quarter, providing an essential spark off the bench. Unfortunately, once he left, the team couldn't get it done. The loss hurts, but it was nice to see Kuzma thrive.
Kuzma nearly carried the Bucks to a win by himself
In just 21-and-a-half minutes, Kuzma finished with 22 points. Shooting 9-of-13 from the floor, he was extremely efficient. The most impressive part about it is that the forward had just six points entering the fourth quarter. He scored Milwaukee's first 16 points of the frame, whether it came from knocking in tough jumpers or attacking the hoop inside. He looked confident, and the results followed.
Doc Rivers pulled Kuzma with a tick over three minutes to play, and the Bucks couldn't close the deal, falling 135-133.
In a game dictated by poor boxing out, sloppy defense, and abysmal free-throw shooting, Kuzma was a shining light. When he is on like this, it makes the Bucks' offense all the more lethal. Of course, other Bucks players have to do their part, as he was a one-man show against the Sacramento Kings.
Bucks fans shouldn't expect Kuzma to play like this every night. In his last three games prior to this one, he had a combined 23 points. While he had the green light here, he has found more success as a complementary piece that does all the little things rather than a go-to bucket-getter. Still, Milwaukee will take the 22 points on 69.2 percent shooting whenever they can.
Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo put up big numbers, but Domantas Sabonis got the best of him with several timely offensive rebounds due to a lack of boxing out. Bobby Portis had 16 points, but it was not enough to overcome a series of bad defensive plays and a technical foul. Cole Anthony got himself ejected after arguing with what was indeed a controversial officiating crew.
This is a nasty loss the team will want to put behind them quickly. Just when it felt like they were on the cusp of taking off after wins against New York and Golden State, they take a massive step back. The hope is that this will be a wake-up call, especially with a trip to Indiana to face the rival Pacers coming up next on the schedule.
Stay tuned for more Milwaukee Bucks analysis.