Damian Lillard

Kyle Kuzma had zero points (0-of-5 FGs) in 22 minutes against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs on Saturday.

The story of Game 1 for the Bucks was the supporting cast letting down Giannis Antetokounmpo with Damian Lillard sidelined. No one was a bigger letdown than Kuzma, the Bucks’ trade deadline acquisition, who failed to record any stats in his 22 minutes. Kuzma was a living embodiment of the Tony Snell meme in Game 1 as the Bucks lost by nine. He’ll look to turn things around over the rest of the series, though overall he certainly hasn’t been as impactful as the Bucks imagined when he was acquired.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 36 points (14-of-23 FGs), 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs on Saturday.

Antetokounmpo put the Bucks on his back in Game 1. The 30-year-old power forward went off for 36 points and 12 rebounds, but his supporting cast was a massive letdown. Antetokounmpo managed just one assist as none of the other Bucks starters were able to reach double figures in scoring. The Greek Freak will need a little more help from his friends to make this series and the Bucks could be getting back Damian Lillard in the next couple games.

ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Damian Lillard (deep vein thrombosis) could return by Game 3 of the Bucks’ first-round series against the Pacers.

Lillard last appeared in a game on March 18, as a deep vein thrombosis in his calf placed the Bucks guard on the sidelines. Cleared of the issue on Thursday, Lillard has participated in recent practices, which have included some 3-on-3 action. Conditioning is the concern at this stage, as he was unable to do anything during the early stages of the DVT. Game 2 of the series is on Tuesday, with the Bucks hosting Game 3 on Friday. Ryan Rollins has been Lillard’s replacement in the starting lineup, with Giannis Antetokounmpo serving as the “point guard.”

Austin Reaves tallied 16 points (5-of-13 FGs, 3-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, three assists and three three-pointers in 37 minutes in Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Timberwolves.

Anthony Edwards (calf) shot 8-of-22 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Saturday’s Game 1 win over the Lakers, scoring 22 points with eight rebounds, nine assists, one steal and four three-pointers in 35 minutes.

Edwards didn’t have his best night shooting the basketball, but he recorded solid numbers in the rebound and assist categories. The lone concern was his exit from Game 1 during the third quarter with an apparent calf injury. Edwards did return early in the fourth with a sleeve on his right leg, and he said during the postgame interview that the calf is getting better “day-by-day.” The good news for him and the Timberwolves is that Game 2 isn’t until Wednesday, so he’ll have a few days to rest up.

Malik Beasley recorded 20 points (7-of-16 FGs), four rebounds, two assists, two steals, one block and six three-pointers in 35 minutes in Saturday’s Game 1 loss to the Knicks.

As was the case for most of the regular season, Beasley provided solid production off the bench in Game 1. And after shooting 14-of-25 from three in two games against the Bucks to end the regular season, he carried that form over into Saturday’s matchup. Beasley shot 6-of-12 from three in Game 1 while also providing solid value in rebounds, steals and blocks. In four regular-season meetings with the Knicks, he shot 55.6 percent from three with an average of 3.8 makes and 15.8 points. Based on those numbers and his showing on Saturday, Beasley will have value in this series. Game 2 is on Monday night.