As the Warriors navigate the loss of Stephen Curry to a “tricky” hamstring strain, head coach Steve Kerr is going to have to reshape the game plan on the fly. That includes opening up minutes to players who might not have gotten as many opportunities otherwise.
“There’s no Steph. It’s a completely different team,” Kerr said, per The Athletic’s Anthony Slater (via Twitter). He pointed at two players in particular who will play a part in the team’s Game 3 approach: Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
“Everything has to be about finding a new formula and [Kuminga] is absolutely a part of that formula,” he said.
Kuminga only played 50 total minutes in the Warriors’ seven-game series against the Rockets, but with Curry down, he logged 26 minutes in Game 2 against the Timberwolves, scoring 18 points on 11 shots. With few offensive options outside of Jimmy Butler and Brandin Podziemski, Kuminga’s ability to score and pressure the rim will be important to keeping the offense running.
When it comes to Jackson-Davis, Kerr said, “[He] showed he can be effective against this team,” referencing the second-year center’s 15-point, six-rebound performance in just 19 minutes in Game 2. Jackson-Davis has only played more than six minutes twice in this postseason, but Curry’s injury means the team is leaning more into its defensive personnel.
Here are more Warriors notes:
- The Warriors have spent years trying to mold Kuminga into the team-first player they want him to be, with mixed results, but now they’ll have to rely on him playing like the star-in-the-making he considers himself, writes The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II. As long as Curry is out, Kuminga has a runway to prove himself both now and for the future, with restricted free agency around the corner. “This has not been an easy stretch for (him),” Kerr said after Game 2. “He really came out there and did a great job today and showed what he’s made of. Obviously, he’ll be back out there in Game 3. We’re gonna need him.”
- Jimmy Butler admitted after Game 2 that he’s still feeling the effects of the hard fall he took in the first round against Houston, which resulted in him being diagnosed with a pelvic contusion (Twitter video link via Slater). Butler has shot 39.4% from the field through two games against the Wolves, though in typical fashion, his contributions extend across the box score — he has averaged nine rebounds and six assists per night.
- The Warriors are the first team in NBA history to use 14 players in the first half of a playoff game, Slater writes for The Athletic. This was part of a broader push from Kerr and the coaching staff to throw different things at the wall to see what sticks while not overtaxing their remaining stars. “We went into the game thinking we’d play a lot of people short-burst minutes, try to protect Jimmy and Draymond,” Kerr said. “They’ve been playing huge minutes every other day, flying all over the country. We had to weigh that.” That approach included going away from the struggling Quinten Post and Moses Moody, whom the team had turned to in the previous series, in favor of Kuminga and Jackson-Davis. Expect Kerr to continue searching for combinations and riding hot hands as the team looks to manufacture offense and stay alive until Curry can return.
Wolves in 5. It was like they were playing a D-league team.
Just like how they looked in game 1 with their star player
So you’re saying the wolves are good enough to be tied 1-1 with a D league team? Ok, Got it.
Well, I don’t think you really believe that. I just think you’re trying to say something negative about the Golden State Warriors.
Something.., anything.., as long as you’re bashing them, you’re good.
OK fair enough at least you’ve been consistent lol
Yeah odd since the “D-League” Dubs came within 7 pts at one point LOL
That’s not close, to be within 7pts for one brief instance. It was literally 13-0 halfway through the 1Q, they only scored their first bucket because they picked on Wolves terrible defender Randall.
GS will win the series if MN has 3 straight historically bad games where they go 0-15 from 3pt line. You wanna bet that doesn’t happen again this series, let alone 3 times.
OK, better basketball comment and I agree with you. The D league comment not so much.
aircastle is saying the wolves would be swept if Curry didn’t get hurt.
Keep dreaming ———. what did I say about respecting your opponent.
why should I respect aircastle? I don’t see youy calling him out for calling warriors a D league team? so you only pick on warrior fans?
I didn’t say anything about the poster…. Only about sweeping.
No you just over look the poster saying the T-wolves will win 4 games in a row. Dude stop the attack on ONLY warrior fans.
Dubs approached it like a spring training baseball game. I wasn’t expecting them to win both in Minnesota anyways – even with Steph, it would have been a long shot (not sure if pun intended; let’s go with MAYBE) – so I’m quite okay with Kerr’s decision to do such. I wouldn’t jump to conclusions after Game 2 (especially in a 1-1 scenario). Game 3, however, is the one that’ll tell us a lot. If it’s another Wolves blowout, we should start thinking about which matchup intrigues us more: Wolves/Nuggets or Wolves/Thunder. If the Warriors win OR if they lose by, say, single digits, while keeping it close into crunchtime, then I’m confident (hopeful?) it’ll be a long series (6-7 games), allowing Steph a chance to return.
Yeah, everyone knew it was going to be a feel out game … it was pretty amazing to see all 14 players play LOL.
I have a question for Warrior fans ……. 2 actually
What do you expect from Kuminga now that Curry is out ????
What do you think he will do ????
Jeez Al, grow up. If you are as much of a basketball genius as you claim to be, you should be able to figure this one out. Kuminga has to be a consistent offensive weapon. Why do you think they traded for Butler? Offense was a problem going into the season. Everyone knew that. The defense was fine all season long. Turnovers have been a huge problem all season long. You can’t be giving up free points. Especially when you struggle offensively.
I see more babies following Warriors. Thats where the growing up needs to happen. You guys complain all the time about JK. What’s wrong with asking that …….
What complaining about JK are you talking about?
Really …. You don’t want me to pull up all the past posts. Do you.
From wanting to trade him. To he is inconsistent. To a bust. To get rid of him now. To he is not smart. To he can’t shoot. To not accepting blame for warrior staff. You need more
So, you are saying that pointing out that Kuminga’s shooting is down from last year when he was a starter is complaining. He only achieved that when Draymond was at the 5, which is unsustainable. It is just a fact. He was a starter at the beginning of the season, but he stunk. How is the coaching staff to blame for JK not shooting like he did in the past?
Giants 74, Al likes to Group all of us Warriors fans together.
I think I’m the one who’s been complaining about JK and especially moody. But Al will say “all Warriors fans” when he reads our opinions here.
@gary All these keep kvetching about why isn’t Kerr playing Kuminga more. They keep ignoring how Kerr played Kuminga last season. He knows how to play JK. He is definitely not shooting like he did last season. It seems like he is still trying for that $30+ million contract.
They keep ignoring why they traded for Shroder and Butler. If they didn’t make those trades, the Warriors would be looking at lottery balls right now. The season was going nowhere fast. The Melton injury was probably the biggest blow to this team.
Oh well, some people like to think they know everything. They usually get proven wrong.
Its up to Kerr on having him to start. If he starts he will get the warriors 20 plus points. He needs to play with Butler for the passes that Butler is good at doing.
I’m just repeating whats out there. Kerr has said that JK and Jimmy are similar. So that’s why he hasn’t played them together.
He’s got no choice now. Its tough to be thrown in the playoffs like this. Wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Truth is you have to take advantage of opportunities. I would look more at his emotional state. His commitment to thinking the game. I think that’s key.
Kuminga and wiggins were the same player not Butler. Kuminga gothurt and pushed out becaus ethey were playing so well without him.
Kerr hasn’t played JK and Butler on the court together because they have struggled together.
Yes true. And there are articles out there. Kerr saying they are similar players so he went to Jimmy and sat Kuminga. Im just stating facts about them.
I have posted those articles.
My point is . Jimmy has also come out about Kuminga. And sees it differently. All that doesn’t matter. He has to play him. But a coach who understands his players. Has him ready for this. Imo Kuminga is too good a talent to be kept on the bench. Cause look now we need saving .
interview.
“When JK was out, we traded for Jimmy and they play the same position. Our whole team changed. We became an ISO team with Jimmy. Movement with Steph [Curry] and iso with Jimmy. Jimmy is one of the best players in the league, so it’s not as simple as just saying, ‘Oh, OK we’ll just play them together.’ Basketball doesn’t work that way.”
With Steph Curry sidelined by a hamstring injury and Kuminga delivering a strong Game 2 performance, head coach Steve Kerr may be forced to reevaluate his rotation strategy moving forward.
Your coach lol
Read what Jimmy thinks
link to athlonsports.com
No, it is up Kuminga to show he can put 20+ points a night. He was a starter at the beginning of the season. His shooting stunk. And it has been inconsistent all season long.
Without Curry on the floor players like Kuminga will shoot more shots. How many times do we watch them pass up baskets in the key to pass it out to Curry?
Thats the coaches job. You can turn the tv off. You had three yrs to find a wat. Every young talent needs time and nurturing. Its not a set timetable. How many times I have to say that here. By now you find a way for him to help or you move him. Why us it that Jimmy thinks like I do. A guy ALL you so called fans hated. Just like you hated Wiggins. The responsibility always falls on the team when it comes to young talent. Why is that so hard to accept
Read what the player ALL you Warriors fans didn’t want. The guy who saved your season. Read how he thinks …………
link to athlonsports.com
It is hard to accept because you are saying things that are false.
That the team has the responsibility. Im not saying things. I’m saying INE thibg lol.
This is not about me. Warriors failed Kumi ga. Been saying it fir two yrs niw. One thing.
And now you expect him to save you. Thats fans for you.
@ Giants74
“No, it is up Kuminga to show he can put 20+ points a night. He was a starter at the beginning of the season.”
Kerr started him for only 3 games but also pulled him early in those (avg 20 min/gm). In the next 8 games off the bench but averaging 26 minutes he put up 17 ppg on 5%/43% shooting and had 20+ pts in 3 of them.
When Kerr played him more minutes (30.7/gm) later in the season before the injury, he AVERAGED 20.9/gm. So he proved he can do it.
20 points ——. yeah you got it. Basketball is a team game. Its played both ways as a team. You should learn that first. Then you might unywhat to do with Kuminga. Listen to yourself.
And you call me names cause I ask how you would use him. This is exactly my point. Its all about blame ….
So, I guess you remember how stagnant the offense got.
You ever play ball man. Its up to the coach o find a way to helo. Especially when he is having troubles adjusting. As ALL young players do. Fact you keep putting it on a 19 yr old. Shows you are inept on finding a solution. You don’t know players personally do you. You can’t assume he doesn’t want to learn. You think he’s dumb. All teams and staff are responsible for getting the best out of their pkayers. Its their Fn system. Don’t you get that. Why would you blame a 19-22 yr old. Unless you are with him and smoke crack.
I never said anything about Kuminga smoking crack like you just did.
When you catch up . You can answer me.
You are clueless about talent and Kuminga. This is not about me. I just showed you Jimmy and I say the same things. Yet you have a need to defend Kerr andbthe Warriors.
What part of without Jk Warriors are done. Don’t you get …
If the Warriors pry some games away for Minnesota it will be By committee! Hield Kuminga, BP, GPll, Moody etc someone steps up! Keep your head straight Draymond, orchestrate do what you do and let Butler create on Offense!
By this time Kerr should know which “combinations” can work, rather than “finding a new formula” based on 1 game he threw away.
Players can’t “show what they’re made of” without getting onto the court – Warriors fans have been complaining about TDJ getting no time, and since “offensive option” Podz isn’t scoring well (7 ppg on 31%/22% in the series) it should have been obvious that the team’s best 3 pt shooter (Post) should have played more than the opening 3 minutes last game (while ofer Moody got 16:29).
Post on the perimeter means Gobert is less effective (since Green really can’t make threes after the 1st Q – he was 1-1 in the 1st and 0-5 the rest of the game.
How many minutes is he going to play Moody and Spencer tonight?
The Moses Moody experiment has to end.
He must be considered simply as bench fodder at this point and receive spot minutes in a pinch as best case scenario for him.
It’s over. It’s really over.
“Jogging casual Moody” has no place in an NBA playoff game that matters.
In fact, I think I have a book that Moses should read sometime. “See Buddy Run.” It has a lot of interesting chapters like, see Buddy sprint, and, see Buddy give 110%, and my favorite, see Buddy get hot.
Yes Gary, it irks me watching his casual jog and sitting in the corner waiting for the 3 ball. With that being said he has his moments where he’s capable of putting some nice offense together. We will see.
Wiseman is gone and you trashed him. Kuminga has troubles and you trash him. Not Moody is over. Yet you don’t blame the Warriors development of them. You defend it when according to you. All three picks sre wasted now.
You understand the difference between us now …
You continually misrepresent my position. That’s fine. You do you and there’s no problem. We all have our opinions.
I did not trash Wiseman. I said he’s not capable of being an NBA player because he doesn’t have it upstairs.
I applaud his effort and I’m saddened greatly by his injury woes. I do think he’ll be given a few more chances when he recovers from this latest Achilles injury.
I wouldn’t trash a man for lack of skill, but I would trash a man for getting in trouble with the law or being a poor teammate. James Wiseman is a great teammate and James Wiseman is a great kid.
To take things the other way, so you think Moses Moody will be a rotation NBA player. OK I disagree. You also think Jonathan Kuminga will become a very good NBA player. I totally disagree. We shall see.
We both blame the Warriors for these situations, but for different reasons.
You’re blaming the warriors that these guys haven’t been developed. I’m blaming the Warriors for drafting crappy players. Silk purse, sow’s ear. Get it?
We need to have Post play some minutes on the second team. They will need his 3 pt shooting. I would put him in when Gobert leaves the floor and Reid is in. The opens up the middle for in the paint shots. Moody should only be 2nd team and to rest players. Until his shoot comes back he is a waste.
Yes, arc they need to play post in this series. He should not have seen the floor against the Rockets, but in this series, he should play a lot more than he does.
I have a feeling Kerr will have a short leash on players not playing defense. Keep T-wolves under 100 points and we can win. I was reading that NBA is investigating one of the officals from game 2 of the Rocket series that has ties to a spanish gambling company. That was the game where the warriors were getting called for a lot of fouls and Rockets got away with all those pushes.
@arc89
I looked and couldn’t find anything on a ref investigation. The refs in that game were Sean Corbin, David Guthrie, Courtney Kirkland.
Did they say which one? (Guthrie is reffing the Warriors game tonight and Kirkland is calling the Celtics-Knicks game)
the article didn’t say which one. It was on goggle so either sporting news or the athletic.
I guess you haven’t watched any Warriors games this season. They have been consistent all season long. That’s why he keeps having to juggle the rotation.
TJD hasn’t played a lot because he struggled defensively at the start of the season. He is also limited offensively on a team that struggles for offense.
@! Giants74
I watch every Warriors game. I just disagree with your conclusions. Constantly juggling the rotations and not giving players like TJD and Kuminga even 1 minute for a bunch of games in a row makes them less effective when you decide to play them.
Before Jommy after Jimmy … thats a wrong statement there. You can’t lie to feel better lol.
Warriors are not beating the TWolves without Kuminga helping. Its that simple. Yet most of you so called Warriors fans. Don’t believe in him. And that’s from your own mouths. Worse you actually blame him. Thats just brilliant……
link to athlonsports.com
Jimmy believes in him …….
Yes, Al, correct JK needs to step up. He hasn’t so far except for 1/4 in the playoffs.
I guess I’m just tired of waiting for him.
Others have a lot more patience. To me it’s been four years and next year will be his fifth and he wants big money.
My opinion is that I don’t think the Warriors should give him $30+ million per year. If you want to give it to him then go ahead. I’m just in disagreement with it.
Unless he has a break out playoff series and heps the warriors win this series i don’t see any team willing to give him a $30 million contract. Look at how Rockets are regretting giving Jalen Green that $30 million deal.
That is probably why JK is struggling so much this season. He is still thinking about that $30+ million.
I have a feeling that sometimes Al is actually referring to himself.
Just own it. Why talk around it. I don’t care about the Warriors. Unlike you I like Wiseman and JK still.
Just own what? Just read what I wrote and that’s it. Not satisfactory to your criteria? It’s all I have for you. That’s my opinion in black-and-white.
You don’t like talking Hoops Al, you just want people to agree with you and if it’s not stated the right way you get defensive.
Not everything is an argument. I love most of what you write. There’s a few things I disagree with you on, so let’s have a discussion instead of everything being an argument with you.
You’re about ready to get labeled Davie Junior pretty soon Al. You’re just so abrasive at times.
It’s a great opportunity for Kuminga! It might even be worth $60-80m difference in his next contract. He was in a terrible mental state but got very lucky and might have turned a corner in the last gm. It almost didnt happen because immediately he turmed the ball ovet amd missed 2 FTs. He only went back in because Moody and everybody else was playing terribly. He got his break, 2nd half start, comfidence back. Kerr and his teammates are rootimg for him. It’s up to him. PLAY and ACT like a star! 25 points and a WIN tonight!!
Moody should be used for defense only, his shot has something mechanically wrong with it right now.
Draymond shutting up and getting no more techs would silence his critics
Jimmy standing up and being the #1 guy would silence his critics. Jimmy saying he would rather pass than shoot was really concerning. Steph is out bro, it’s all you again.
It’s mental for Moody. As for Butler, he has been playing hurt all along.
What makes you think it’s mental and not mechanics? Looks mechanical to me. The way the ball comes out of his hands is different now to the games when he is shooting well.
Butler said so himself at the postgame press conference he is trying to get everyone involved…but he needs to be Himmy. We shouldn’t be playing 10+ guys this late in the season. Jimmy should be scoring 30+. Every game needs to be a G7 from here on out.