Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma: ‘We lost by 45 points to a team that’s trying to lose’

Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma did not mince words after Milwaukee’s 45-point loss to Brooklyn on Sunday night.

“We lost by 45 points to a team that’s trying to lose,” Kuzma said, via The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, calling the defeat the low point of the Bucks’ season.

Milwaukee trailed by 17 at halftime, fell behind by 28 after three quarters, and was down more than 30 early in the fourth before the margin ballooned further.

The loss tied the Nets’ largest margin of victory in franchise history and marked just the fourth time the Bucks have lost by 45 or more points. It was Milwaukee’s worst defeat since a 45-point loss to Detroit on Dec. 31, 2007.

Kuzma stressed that the result was more about Milwaukee than Brooklyn, noting the league’s depth and the consequences of being unprepared.

“If you’re not ready, you’re gonna get your butt whooped,” he said.

After opening the season 8-5, the Bucks have now lost 11 of their last 14 games. As you know, Giannis Antetokounmpo missed the game with a strained right calf.

Bobby Portis echoed the need for accountability, saying each player must “look in the mirror” as Milwaukee tries to climb back toward .500.

Coach Doc Rivers also addressed the team’s mindset, saying the focus should be on correcting Milwaukee’s own issues.

“It starts with me,” Rivers said. “I’ve got to get these guys right.”