Bucks teammates Damian Lillard, Kyle Kuzma participate in the playful boxing challenge
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While Damian Lillard is known for his achievements on the basketball court, the nine-time NBA All-Stars are also an avid fan of combat sports.
Kyle Kuzma was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in February and was clearly aware of his teammate Lillard’s passion for boxing and decided to challenge him.
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Milwaukee Bucks players visit in March 4, 2025 against the Atlanta Hawks at Atlanta State Farm Arena, Georgia. (Scott Cunningham/nbae via Getty Images)
In social media posts, Kumar initially joked that if he leaves Milwaukee sometime in the offseason, Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo will face consequences.
The guess is that the two-time NBA MVP can explore his options in the offseason in pursuit of a team that is better in the playoffs in-depth game.
Giannis Antetokounmpo’s next team odds: Where is the “Greek Freak” next season?
“I’ll leave @giannis_an34 next year,” Kuzma wrote in a video at the sparring session.
Kuzma followed up with the post, suggesting that Lillard might be the “next” teammate to get his anger. “Din Ding.” Kuzma captioned another video of him wearing boxing gloves.
Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers #0 against Utah Jazz in the second half of Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 22, 2023. (Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Lillard seizes Kuzma’s challenge and responds in kind.
Lillard wrote in an Instagram Story post: “When I’m healthy…I stop you on the fifth time…Long torso = Bhop vs. de la Hoya.”
April 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) reacted to forward Kyle Kuzma (18) against Indiana Pacers in the fourth round of the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs in the first quarter. (Benny Sieu-Imagn image)
Lillard’s response was a reference to Bernard Hopkins’ famous match against Oscar de La Hoya. Hopkins defended his middleweight title when he defeated De La Jolla. The battle is largely remembered because it was the first time in De La Joya’s career, who lost a game through the knockout round.
The Bucks listed Lillard as 6’2 inches and 195 pounds. Meanwhile, the Kuzma is listed at 6’9 inches and 221 pounds.
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De la Hoya is significantly smaller than Hopkins when on the ring. De la Hoya is often called The Golden Boy.
Lillard recently underwent surgery to repair his torn left follow-up tendon. He was injured in the Bucks playoff series against the Indiana Pacers in April. Not long before the ACL was injured, the star point guard returned to his own path from a deep vein thrombosis problem in his right leg. Lillard was eliminated in the last 14 games of the 2024-25 season.
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