Kyle Kuzma Struggled During Bucks Preseason Game

Kyle Kuzma recorded one point in 20 minutes as the Milwaukee Bucks faced the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Basketball

Kyle Kuzma Struggled During Bucks Preseason Game

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Should professional athletes ignore social media criticism after poor game performances?

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma recorded only one point during his recent preseason appearance against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Kuzma struggled from the field, shooting 0-for-6 in 20 minutes of action.

Why it matters

The performance stands in contrast to the 2025-26 season, where Kuzma averaged 13.0 points across 69 games. His outing drew significant attention on social media due to the limited offensive production.

Kuzma shot 0-for-6 from the field and missed two three-point attempts, while teammates Ryan Rollins and Kel'el Ware scored 15 and 14 points respectively. The Bucks struggled early, shooting 6-for-28 from the field in the first quarter.

The players

Kyle Kuzma

He is an NBA forward who played 69 games for the Milwaukee Bucks during the 2025-26 season.

Ryan Rollins

He is a professional basketball player who recorded 15 points before fouling out of the preseason contest.

Kel'el Ware

He is a player who contributed 14 points and 12 rebounds to the team effort.

Brayden Burries

He is a rookie who recorded seven points and five assists during his 17 minutes on the court.

The details

During the game, the Milwaukee Bucks relied heavily on three-point attempts rather than generating interior scoring opportunities. Several players made their debuts for the team, while rookies Brayden Burries and Nate Ament also saw playing time.

Timeline

  1. 1973 was the last time a Buck recorded zero stats in over 20 minutes of play.

  2. 2020-21 was Kyle Kuzma's final season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

  3. 2025-26 was the season in which Kuzma played 69 games for Milwaukee.

  4. October 6, 2026 is the publication date of this report.

Season Trajectory

This performance marks a statistical outlier that complicates the early-season assessment of the roster's depth. It forces coaching staff to evaluate how the team's reliance on perimeter shooting impacts veteran players coming off more consistent previous campaigns.

The game provided a look at rotation players like Ryan Rollins and rookies Brayden Burries and Nate Ament in extended minutes. Fans should note the team's first-quarter shooting struggles, which saw them hit only 6-of-28 field goals.

The takeaway

Players often face early-season variance as they adjust to new rotations and offensive schemes. Consistency remains a key metric for veterans aiming to match their previous season averages.

Further reading

For more information on team performance, visit the Milwaukee Basketball section.

Live Poll

Should professional athletes ignore social media criticism after poor game performances?