The Milwaukee Bucks faced the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, and they were embarrassed. Despite their efforts, the team suffered a 127-82 loss. Milwaukee did everything on the floor to give itself a chance to make the game competitive. Unfortunately for the team, it wasn’t enough, turning their record to 11-16.
Star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo did not suit up for Milwaukee due to a right calf strain. It was Gary Trent Jr. who stepped up with his 20 points and two steals. The second-highest scorer was Kyle Kuzma, with 13 points on 54.5% shooting.
After the 45-point loss, coach Doc Rivers was visibly disappointed with how the group performed. During his time with the media on Monday, Rivers had some strong words about how the game turned out for the Bucks.
“Probably one of the more disappointing games I’ve ever been involved in…we wanted to blame everybody but ourselves,” the coach said. “We’re blaming the refs, we’re looking at each other. No one wanted to play hard. We got a lot of soul searching to do.”
Doc Rivers after losing by 45 to the Nets:
"Probably one of the more disappointing games I've ever been involved in…we wanted to blame everybody but ourselves. We're blaming the refs, we're looking at each other. No one wanted to play hard. We got a lot of soul searching to… pic.twitter.com/Nm8NPZViu5
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 15, 2025
Things haven’t gone well for Milwaukee this 2029-26 NBA season. The team has struggled to be competitive and have also dealt with various trade rumors. On top of that, the subject of the noise is directed at the team’s best player.
Bucks’ Kyle Kuzma’s blunt response to their loss against the Nets
The Bucks’ goal this season is to be a playoff team, and hopefully contend for the NBA championship. The Nets, on the other hand, are finding their identity and are not expected to be a playoff team. Brooklyn’s 7-18 is evidence that they aren’t trying to win games this season.
After the disappointing loss, Kuzma had some strong words about his team. He said that it exposed Milwaukee has a group that isn’t ready that night and that they deserved the outcome.
“Lost by 45 points to a team that’s trying to lose. They got four wins, five wins, whatever it is now,” Kuzma said. “No disrespect at all because that’s the beauty of this league, right? There’s so much talent, and if you’re not ready, you’re gonna get your butt whooped. By any team. And we were proof of that tonight.”
Veteran big man Bobby Portis also said that every player for Milwaukee should reflect on how they can contribute to the team’s success.
