By means of 4 video games within the 2024-25 season, the Warriors are 3-1. Golden State was at dwelling on Tuesday evening to face the Pelicans. For the primary three video games of the season, Johnathan Kuminga began at PF for the Warriors. Kuminga obtained a textual content from his head coach earlier than the sport on Tuesday letting him know he would come off the bench.
An fascinating transfer by Stever Kerr because the Warriors had been already with out two key starters. Steph Curry was out with an ankle damage and Andrew Wiggins was out with a again damage. Kerr’s rationalization for having Kuminga come off the bench was that he wished extra spacing with Curry and Wiggins out. He believed Kuminga may present that spacing as a rotational participant as an alternative of a starter. We’ll see if Kerr continues to make use of Kuminga off the bench transferring ahead.
Jonathan Kuminga got here off the bench for the Warriors on Tuesday evening
The Warriors are transferring F Jonathan Kuminga to bench tonight vs. Pelicans, sources inform me and @kendra__andrews. Intriguing improvement in a fourth season when no extension was full for either side and workforce has mentioned setting him as much as take the subsequent step. pic.twitter.com/RxYOq3nuuj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 30, 2024
With the seventh decide within the 2021 NBA draft, the Warriors chosen Jonathan Kuminga. He took an untraditional path to the NBA by not enjoying in school and going proper to the G League. As a rookie in 2021-22, Kuminga performed in 70 video games and made12 begins for Golden State. He received a championship with the Warriors within the 2022 NBA Finals. The primary two seasons of Kuminga’s profession didn’t reside as much as the hype of being a top-10 decide.
Nonetheless, Kuminga took an enormous step ahead in yr three with the Warriors. Final season, he performed in 74 video games and made 46 begins. He was a full-time starter for nearly all the second half of the 2023-24 season. That gave Kuminga a possibility to develop extra and he took benefit of it. Kuminga averaged a career-high (16.1) factors, (4.8) rebounds, and (2.2) assists per recreation. His (26.3) minutes per recreation was additionally a brand new career-high. That’s why it was unusual to see Steve Kerr bench Kuminga on Tuesday evening. He’s labored his manner as much as being a full-time starter however his head coach felt changes wanted to be made for that recreation. The Warriors are at dwelling once more on Wednesday evening to face the Pelicnas. Will Kuminga come off the bench for a second-straight recreation?
