WASHINGTON — The recent return of Kyle Kuzma to Washington stirred up a confusing incident involving his previous teammates. Kuzma reflected on a moment during the first quarter where he instinctively shared a handshake with Bilal Coulibaly after witnessing him celebrate a blocked shot by Alex Sarr. The gesture caught him off guard as it reminded him of the bond he had with them.

Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Kuzma scored 19 points, contributing to their 104-101 victory over Sarr, Coulibaly, and the Wizards. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it marked Kuzma’s first game against his former team after being traded earlier this month, with Khris Middleton coming to Washington as part of the deal. In his debut, Middleton missed a crucial three-point shot that could have leveled the score at the end of the game.

Middleton remarked on the peculiarity of facing off against the Bucks in his initial game with the Wizards, acknowledging the whirlwind of events that led him to this point.

Kuzma, having been a part of the Wizards for 3 1/2 seasons, relished the opportunity to return and even spent the night in his own bed before the game. His experiences in Washington hold significant value for him, as he emphasized how important that time was for his personal development. “I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything,” Kuzma stated, emphasizing the positive aspects of his time with the team.

Despite the personal significance of his tenure, Kuzma was aware of the team’s current rebuilding phase, which made his departure less surprising. He expressed that the circumstances surrounding his trade had likely been clear for some time, noting, “I think everything in life really has an expiration date. It was my time to go; beneficial for all involved.”

Although Kuzma is relatively new to the Bucks, he has quickly found himself in a critical position given the team’s setbacks. Bobby Portis Jr. is currently out due to a drug suspension, while Damian Lillard couldn’t participate in the game due to a hamstring issue, and star player Giannis Antetokounmpo faced foul trouble, managing only 19 minutes on the court before fouling out.

“It was an odd game,” Kuzma reflected. “I’ve never seen Giannis have six fouls in just 18 minutes. Not sure what that was about, but we were definitely short-handed.”