Latest news with #KyleKuzma
Fox News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Bucks' Damian Lillard issues playful response to teammate Kyle Kuzma's boxing challenge
While Damian Lillard is mostly known for his accomplishments on the basketball court, the nine-time NBA All-Star is also an avid fan of combat sports. Kyle Kuzma, who was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in February, was apparently aware of his teammate Lillard's passion for boxing and decided to challenge him to a bout. In a social media post, Kuzma initially joked that Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo would face consequences if he departed Milwaukee at some point this offseason. Speculation has swirled that the two-time NBA MVP could explore his options this offseason in pursuit of playing with a team that's better positioned for a deep playoff run. "Me to @giannis_an34 if you leave next year," Kuzma wrote in an Instagram Stories post over a video of him in a sparring session. Kuzma followed up that post by suggesting Lillard could be "next" teammate to draw his wrath. "Ding ding," Kuzma captioned another video of him wearing boxing gloves. Lillard caught wind of Kuzma's challenge and responded in kind. "When I'm healthy… I'm stopping you in the 5th… Long torso = BHop vs. De La Hoya," Lillard wrote in an Instagram Stories post. Lillard's response was a reference to Bernard Hopkins' famous 2004 bout against Oscar De La Hoya. Hopkins was defending his middleweight title when he knocked out De La Hoya. The fight is largely remembered for it being the first time in De La Hoya's career he lost a bout via knockout. The Bucks list Lillard as 6' 2" and 195 lbs. Meanwhile, Kuzma is listed at 6' 9" and 221 lbs. De La Hoya was noticeably smaller than Hopkins when they were in the ring. De La Hoya, who is often referred to as "The Golden Boy," attempted to win a belt in a weight class that was heavier than he normally competed in. Lillard recently underwent surgery to repair his torn left Achilles tendon. He suffered the injury in April during the Bucks playoff series against the Indiana Pacers. Shortly before the ACL injury, the star point guard had worked his way back from a deep vein thrombosis issue in his right leg. Lillard was sidelined for the Bucks' final 14 games of the 2024-25 regular-season. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Damian Lillard Shares Exciting Giannis Antetokounmpo Post
Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks seems to be in serious doubt. For the third year in a row, they were eliminated in the first round of the NBA playoffs, and their prospects look weak for the foreseeable future. Nine-time All-Star guard Damian Lillard, who was supposed to be the missing piece for Milwaukee when he arrived in a big trade prior to last season, tore his Achilles during the playoffs. Furthermore, the rest of the team's roster is aging, and it lacks the trade assets it needs to reload. Advertisement Antetokounmpo is at the peak of his individual powers, and a recent social media post revealed that he has scored more points than any other NBA player over the last 10 seasons. Lillard shared that post on his Instagram account. Damian Lillard/Instagram In two seasons with the Bucks, Lillard averaged 24.6 points and 7.0 assists a game. But he missed the last few weeks of this year's regular season after being diagnosed with a blood clot before tearing his Achilles. They had traded the aging Khris Middleton at midseason for Kyle Kuzma in an attempt to get younger and more athletic. But it simply wasn't anywhere close to enough. Advertisement Antetokounmpo, the two-time league MVP, averaged 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.2 blocks a game during the regular season. He won an NBA championship in 2021, and at age 30, time is running out for him to be put in a situation where he can win at least one more ring. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34)© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images Just days ago, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Antetokounmpo is "open-minded about exploring whether his best long-term fit is remaining in Milwaukee or playing elsewhere." But it remains to be seen if the superstar actually becomes available on the market this summer. Related: Dwyane Wade's Massive New Tattoo Draws Attention
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Winnie Harlow cements her model status as she flaunts her jaw-dropping figure in skimpy black bikini for sizzling beach snaps
Winnie Harlow sent temperatures soaring on Monday, as she stripped to her bikini and hit the beach for an eye-popping impromptu photoshoot. The Canadian model, 30, took to her Instagram to shares a slew of striking snaps as she posed up a storm in a tiny black two-piece, that showcased her svelte figure. Her very skimpy swimwear left little to the imagination, exposing her model long legs and chiselled midriff, while barely containing her ample cleavage. Winnie soaked in the sunshine on a deckchair on the sand, while sipping from a coconut, sweeping her fiery curls into a stylish updo. Despite her day of relaxation, the stunner ensured she still looked her best, accentuating her perfect pout with a slick of pink lipgloss and sporting a stylish pair of aviator-style glasses. She also donned two chunky chain necklaces, a silver tennis bracelet and her watch, with her biggest accessory being her giant diamond engagement ring, after longtime boyfriend Kyle Kuzma proposed in February. The Canadian model, 30, took to her Instagram to shares a slew of striking snaps as she posed up a storm in a tiny black two-piece, that showcased her svelte figure While catching several rays, Winnie took the opportunity to top her suncream and promote her own brand, Cay Skin, which she launched in 2022. She also showed herself reapplying her SPF in the changing rooms, with a sweet video that showed a group of women praising her on her beauty, before recognising her to be the famous model. The Victoria's Secret star was inspired to create the collection after suffering a severe sunburn several years ago while modelling, because the photographer didn't want her reapply any sunscreen that would give her skin a blue tint. She recalled to Allure in 2022: 'By the second day [of the shoot] I was so burned, doctors had to come [because of] the pain and inflammation. 'I didn't realize how passionate I was about [sun care] until I had that experience, so I decided to create Cay Skin.' Winnie added: 'I wanted to squash that whole narrative that Black people don't need sunscreen. It's not true at all. Like, yes we do. No one's melanin is enough to protect them from the sun's rays.' She insisted: 'Sun care is skin care and Cay Skin is for everyone under the sun.' Winnie previously confessed she was 'never supposed to be a model' due to her Vitiligo, but has gone on to have a huge career in the industry and become the first person with the condition to ever walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway. While catching several rays, Winnie took the opportunity to top her suncream and promote her own brand, Cay Skin, which she launched in 2022 She also showed herself reapplying her SPF in the changing rooms, with a sweet video that showed a group of women praising her on her beauty, before recognising her to be the famous model Vitiligo is a long-term condition where pale white patches develop on the skin, which is caused by a lack of melanin. In 2023, she recalled working at La Senza and looking at the models wishing she could do what they were doing, as she reflected on how much she'd achieved. She told ET Canada: 'It's funny to me now that I've actually created a lane for myself in this industry that there was never a lane set. 'People will be like, she's already a model because of her skin. I'm like, Well, it was actually the opposite. I was never supposed to be a model because of my skin. 'I've actually fought against that but I'm like oh… you must think my skin is beautiful now, which nobody thought before. So, you know, it's a double-edged sword, but there's beauty in it.' Winnie said she hopes to continue breaking down barriers for other people with the condition who dream of becoming a model. She said: 'I think the biggest challenge today would be still breaking down those doors that, God bless, I was able to push down those doors to walk through. 'But keeping those doors open for others to walk through… making sure that it isn't just tokenism. Winnie previously confessed she was 'never supposed to be a model' due to her Vitiligo, but has gone on to have a huge career in the industry and become the first person with the condition to ever walk the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show runway Winnie said she hopes to continue breaking down barriers for other people with the condition who dream of becoming a model 'Making sure that it isn't just there's one face or there's one person who can. Everyone is able to.' Her beach day comes just a few months after the America's Next Top Model revealed she is set to walk down the aisle with fiancé Kyle, 29. The basketball player popped the question on February 13 with a dazzling 8.5-carat, oval-cut diamond ring, which he spent three months designing himself. He asked Winnie to be his wife while they were on a private plane heading off on holiday in the Turks and Caicos in the Caribbean. Filling the plane with red roses, balloons, chocolate and champagne, Kyle then read her a poem he had written, before getting down on one knee. And in an extra special surprise, once on the Caribbean island, their families were waiting for them to celebrate the proposal, with dinner on the beach and a fireworks display. Winnie gushed to Vogue magazine that the couple were 'over the moon' to be engaged, admitting she was caught completely by surprise. The basketball player popped the question on February 13 with a dazzling 8.5-carat, oval-cut diamond ring, which he spent three months designing himself She said: 'For a split second in my head I thought, "This would be so cute if this was an engagement. 'But I'm also not the type of person who wants to guess or wants to spoil a surprise. So it just was a fleeting thought in my head.' The lovebirds first started dating in 2020, with Winnie then moving from New York City to Los Angeles to be with Kyle, who played for the L.A. Lakers at the time. The athlete has now moved to join the Milwaukee Bucks, with Winnie often spotted at his basketball games cheering him on from courtside seats.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks to reportedly meet about future next week amid trade speculation
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks will meet in the coming week to discuss the future of the team and which direction the front plans to take following a first-round playoff loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Bucks contacted Antetokounmpo on Saturday to set up the meeting, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes. The conversation will be "very, very crucial," in Haynes' words, as the team will apparently explain to its star player whether the ambition is to pursue another NBA championship in the near future. Advertisement Beginning a rebuilding process seems more likely with Damian Lillard likely to miss all of next season after sustaining a torn left Achilles tendon during the Bucks' playoff defeat. Adding new — and younger — talent to the roster won't easy since Milwaukee doesn't have a first-round pick under its control until 2031. Center Brook Lopez is 37 and Bobby Portis is 30. Khris Middleton (33) was traded for the slightly younger Kyle Kuzma, but the eight-year veteran will turn 30 before next season. Kuzma also didn't make much of an impact upon joining the Bucks, highlighted by posting a box score with zero counting stats in Game 1 of Milwaukee's matchup with Indiana. That leaves the Bucks with little choice but to trade their most valuable asset to kickstart a rebuild. Antetokounmpo will turn 31 next season and would rather play for another NBA title rather than spend the remaining years of his career trying to help Milwaukee regain contender status in the Eastern Conference. Advertisement Antetokounmpo is reportedly open to the idea of being traded and possibly ending his NBA career with another team. He would attract major interest on the trade market and NBA observers have linked him to several playoff and championship contenders including the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors. The two-time NBA MVP is under contract for three more years, including a player option for 2027-28, which would mean any team trading for Antetokounmpo would get him for a long-term pursuit of a championship. Adding to trade speculation will be Antetokounmpo's response to a question about his favorite NBA cities during an informal Saturday night Q&A he held with fans on X. Asked which cities make him happiest, he replied "Florida cities." He also said that New York was his favorite place to play on the road. A trade to the Knicks seems highly unlikely considering that the team already made several deals, getting them Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby during the past two seasons. New York may win an NBA title without Antetokounmpo, as it's set to begin the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday versus the Pacers. Advertisement The Miami Heat have little to offer in a deal and if they were to trade stars like Tyler Herro or Bam Adebayo, the team wouldn't be in position to win a championship with Antetokounmpo. That applies to the Brooklyn Nets as well, though they have draft picks to offer. The Orlando Magic have a young core built around Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, but Milwaukee would almost certainly want one of those players in return, which probably makes any trade talks a non-starter. However, what seems increasingly clear is that something will happen with Antetokounmpo and the Bucks could begin that process as early as after next week's meeting.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kyle Kuzma plays one of the worst games in playoff history, records zero counting stats in Bucks' loss to Pacers
Saturday was a bad day for the Milwaukee Bucks. It was even more so for forward Kyle Kuzma. The Bucks opened the NBA playoff schedule with a 117-98 loss to the Indiana Pacers. Kuzma had one of the worst individual playoff performances in league history in the losing effort. Kuzma started and played 21 minutes for a Bucks team playing shorthanded without All-Star Damian Lillard. He failed to record a single counting stat. Here's Kuzma's line for the game: 0-5 from the field0-2 from 30-2 from the FT line0 points0 rebounds0 assists0 steals0 blocks0 turnovers It added up to a game-worst -24 in the plus/minus column and a brutal day for the eighth-year NBA veteran making his first playoff appearance for the Bucks since joining them in the midseason trade that sent Khris Middleton to the Wizards. At least he didn't turn the ball over. Per multiple accounts, Kuzma is only the sixth player in NBA history to record zero counting stats while playing 20 or more minutes in a playoff game. Mike Dunleavy Jr. (2015), Bruce Bowen (2008), Brent Barry (2005), Michael Cage (1993) and Maurice Lucas (1986) are the others. As Kyle Kuzma checks out, he will be the sixth player to have at least a 20 trillion in a playoff others?Mike Dunleavy Jr. in 2015Bruce Bowen in 2008Brent Barry in 2005Michael Cage in 1993Maurice Lucas in 1986 — Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 19, 2025 Barry edges out Kuzma for the most playoff minutes played without a recorded contribution in a 22:12 appearance for the San Antonio Spurs against the Seattle SuperSonics in 2005. It is with much sadness that I must report Kyle Kuzma's performance today was not the statistical worst in NBA playoff history.21 minutes and 35 seconds played for Kuz today, 22:12 for Brent Barry on 5/17/2005 vs. the Sonics in Game 5 retains the title. — Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 19, 2025 But unlike Kuzma's Bucks, Barry's Spurs won that day. And unfortunately for Kuzma, his effort continues a season-long trend. By one statistical measure, Kuzma was one the worst players in the NBA regular season. Kuzma finished the season with -0.024 win shares per 48 minutes, which ranks 519th out of all NBA players and 179th out of 179 players to play enough minutes to qualify for the stat on Basketball Reference. The good news for the Bucks is that Lillard is expected to return for Game 2 or Game 3 of the series from the deep vein thrombosis that's sidelined him since March 18. But head coach Doc Rivers may need to adjust how he deploys Kuzma for the rest of the series.
