Kyle Kuzma Believes Bucks Gave Games Away After Frustrating Loss to Nuggets

Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma did not hold back when speaking to reporters after his team's 108-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Sunday night, and his honest words showed just how frustrated the locker room is with their recent struggles.

The Bucks wrapped up a four-game Western Conference road trip with a 2-2 record after falling to a Nuggets team that was missing several key players, including three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and All-Star guard Jamal Murray.

When asked about the trip, Kuzma offered a blunt take on where things went wrong.

"Ah, 2-2 is just neutral at the end of the day, right?" Kuzma told reporters. "I think we all have a little bitter taste in our mouth because if you ask anybody in this locker we probably believe we gave two games away, the Warriors game or tonight. It's just clear, both of those games, not playing the right way, I think that just hits us in the butt all the time. We gotta learn our lesson eventually."

The loss was especially painful because Milwaukee had a real chance to steal the game in the final minute.

The Bucks trailed by just three points with under 60 seconds to play, but instead of going for a high-percentage two-point shot, they chased three-pointers and came up empty on multiple attempts.

Aaron Gordon then sealed the game by making three free throws in the final nine seconds.

Kuzma did not sugarcoat the final sequence either, calling it simply "not the right game management."

Giannis Antetokounmpo did everything he could to keep the Bucks in the game, finishing with 31 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, while cutting the deficit from 11 points entering the fourth quarter down to just three in the final moments.

Despite his strong play since returning from a calf injury, Milwaukee fell to 17-22 on the season and currently sits 11th in the Eastern Conference.

Kuzma finished the night with 11 points and six assists off the bench, as the Bucks continue to search for consistency.

On the season, the veteran forward is averaging 12.8 points per game while coming off the bench in recent weeks.

The Nuggets improved to 26-13 with the win despite playing without five of their top eight scorers due to injuries.

Tim Hardaway Jr. led the way with 25 points, and Gordon added 23 as Denver continues to stay afloat while Jokic recovers from a left knee injury.

Milwaukee now heads home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, looking to get back on track and avoid letting more games slip away.