The Milwaukee Bucks lost the first game of the playoff series to the Indiana Pacers. However, the result was not the only talking point.

Kyle Kuzma’s scoreless night also sparked debate. After the game, head coach Doc Rivers defended him and explained the reasons behind his poor performance.

© Brian Fluharty/Getty ImagesDoc Rivers of the Milwaukee Bucks signals during the first half of a game against the Boston Celtics at the TD Garden

The Milwaukee Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers. Doc Rivers’ team struggled from the start and got dominated in the first two quarters.

Because of that early gap, it became difficult for them to turn the result around. Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered a brilliant performance and tried to carry the team.

Meanwhile, Kyle Kuzma played 21 minutes but failed to score. It drew heavy criticism. Despite that, Doc Rivers stood by his player and defended him in the postgame press conference.

“It’s hard to score when you don’t touch the ball…Kyle got two shots in the first half, both with two seconds on the shot clock.

 Kuzma can play, we just gotta involve him and we gotta make sure to keep him involved,” explained Doc Rivers.

Doc Rivers took the blame for Kyle Kuzma’s poor performance. However, it is hard to ignore that he produced nothing in 21 minutes.

Even Pat Connaughton, who played just 1:22, managed to score three points. That comparison makes Kuzma’s NBA performance even more disappointing.

The Milwaukee Bucks’ disappointing performance adds weight to a growing belief. Damian Lillard’s return could be the spark they need to avoid falling into a bad streak.

 Giannis Antetokounmpo is carrying the entire offense. Without a teammate like Lillard, a poor performance like Kyle Kuzma’s becomes even more costly.

Kyle Kuzma #18 of the Milwaukee Bucks dribbles the ball down court during a NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on April 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

However, critics are focusing only on Kuzma. They are ignoring a larger problem. No other Bucks player besides Giannis scored more than 15 points.

That is especially frustrating in Brook Lopez’s case. He finished with only 9 points and 4 rebounds. If the Bucks want to win this series, more players must step up. This is where Doc Rivers needs to find answers and shift the momentum.

Giannis Antetokounmpo reacts to Bucks’ performance after tough loss to Pacers

The Milwaukee Bucks won only the third quarter in their game against the Indiana Pacers. They got dominated in the first half and could not recover in the final stretch.

The team lacked energy and execution early on, which allowed Indiana to take control. Despite the loss, Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered an outstanding performance. He led all players in key statistics and stayed aggressive throughout the game.

However, the Bucks’ star didn’t focus on his individual numbers. Instead, he acknowledged the team’s poor showing and addressed what needs to improve moving forward.

“The way we played tonight, at times, wasn’t us. I think we’re gonna be better. In the second half, we were better… Hopefully, it can carry over to the next game,” affirmed Giannis.

This is only the first game of the series, and the Bucks still have a chance to bounce back. However, they must improve a lot as a team to turn the series around.

The Pacers have one clear strength, though: their balance. That could make the difference if Milwaukee does not respond quickly.