After free agency negotiations between the Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga dragged on for the entire offseason amid questions about the forward’s place in Golden State’s lineup (and future), Kuminga looked like a natural fit in the first game of the season on Tuesday, contributing 17 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in a victory over the Lakers.
Kuminga, who had career averages of 4.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game in his first four NBA seasons, said after the game that he’s committed to finding ways to help the team beyond his scoring, per Marcus Thompson II of The Athletic.
“It was just one of my goals coming into this year,” Kuminga said. “Just trying to be on the boards as much as I can. And guarding the best players. The main thing moving forward is just getting better and doing that every day. When my shots are not falling, just find a way to impact the game. Doing the small things that matter. I’m gonna have my moment when they’re gonna need me to go out and score.”
Kuminga’s most productive stretch of the night came in the third quarter, when he scored 13 of his points and made a trio of three-pointers. However, according to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, his teammates were talking after the game about a key offensive rebound late in the fourth quarter that set up a Stephen Curry dagger to seal the victory.
“That rebound is what everyone in the world has been waiting to see,” Draymond Green said. “You have that athleticism, you go make big plays. You have superstar potential, you go make big plays. Those are game-winning plays. When you ask for opportunity, you must deliver. He’s been very vocal about his opportunity, and he delivered.”
Here’s more on the Warriors:
- Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the game that he thinks Kuminga has “really, really matured” and noted that Jimmy Butler‘s leadership has been a factor. “(Kuminga’s) had a great camp,” Kerr said, according to Thompson. “We’ve had some really good conversations. I think he has a better understanding of what we need. “I think he just has a better sense of what’s needed now compared to past years, and I think Jimmy has really helped him, too. Jimmy has talked to him a lot during camp, he’s taken him aside after practices.”
- A belief that Curry’s heavy workload in the first round of last season’s playoffs contributed to the hamstring injury he sustained early in round two is one key reason why Kerr will make it a greater priority than ever to manage the star guard’s workload in 2025/26, writes Sam Amick of The Athletic. “(Warriors head of player health and performance) Rick Celebrini shared that with me,” Kerr said. “I asked him (about the possible correlation), and he said, ‘Absolutely. One hundred percent.’ So we have to try to keep the minutes down as best we can.” According to Amick, the goal within the organization is to have the team’s older veterans (Curry, Butler, and Green) top out around 34 minutes on a given night.
- Although Kuminga is widely considered an in-season trade candidate, Amick suggests there aren’t many players expected to be available whom the Warriors would want to move him for. According to Amick, Pelicans sharpshooter Trey Murphy III is a name that “continues to circulate” as a potential target, but there has been no indication New Orleans wants to move Murphy, who is in the first season of a four-year contract.
- Butler’s opening night performance – including a game-high 31 points – served as a reminder of why the Warriors need him, and vice versa, writes Nick Friedell of The Athletic. In Butler, the Warriors have another “alpha” who benefits from the defensive attention that Curry commands. “Everybody pays attention to Steph,” Butler said. “I got the easy job.”
What a game, GSW showed so much. They look like 2022, but instead of Wiggins and Bjelica, its Jimmy and Horford (a massive improvement)! Everyone but Podz looked like they were in mindseason form.
Anyone who said they wanted Kuminga off the team – you dont know ball! Admit it, now!
I didn’t think Gsw played all that well tbh
The first half more resembled prison ball which helped the Lakers – Kerr made good adjustments at half and it was curtains soon after
Lakers are a not a good team , 19 turnovers vs good teams will net a loss 90% of the time
I just hope that JK stays consistent with what we saw last night. If he continues to provide what he did, I honestly can’t see him being traded unless it’s for Giannis.
They had turnover problems last season. Not good for a team that relies on ball movement. But, it was opening night. They probably all had a bit of jitters.
They didn’t play a perfect game but still won. My only concern was payton who needs to stop fouling away from teh basket and turned it over too many times.
I’m with you on this. Lakers are trash. When you have 50 million tied up in a 40 year old your asking for a playing team. Luka is great and the future, never been sold on AR. I believe he’ll thrive as a six-man like ginobili. When LeBron leaves next year they need to grab defensive player and dump JJ Redick.
For Golden State I Hope kumenga keeps it up but I’ll reserve in judgment until they actually play a team. A lot of players will have crazy good numbers against the Lakers this year. They seem to not have one defensive player that can stop anybody. But GS looked good. Love the al horford pickup. He just does everything. Dude is aging so well just playing his role
First paragraph.., great comment, good take on last night.
Second paragraph.., same old Davey.
Did you see JK come in and look like a brand new man last night? I wonder, I just wonder… Perhaps… Oh forget it.., Not gonna happen.
What is the Davey Jokes. I see that on every post. Is he a troll or just a fun inside joke?
One game vs a trash can team.
Exactly. Let’s see what they show tomorrow vs the Nuggets, who have dominated GSW the past few years..
Maybe FA was a come-to-jesus experience for Kuminga. He played, last night, the way the coaches have wanted him to play all along. It helps the team out. He may not start, but he’ll get plenty of minutes. He stat sheet will blossom.
If he keeps playing this way, I doubt they will trade him. It is what they want.
Absolutely 100%. Nailed it.
And it’s not just Kerr as everybody is laying the blame on. Just read what Greymond says above…
Everyone has been looking for it, but Kerr just said it out loud.
the big difference last night is he played team ball the entire game. He didn’t try to isolate on offense and he was going after every ball up for grabs. He is also looking for team mates on drives. His defense was good considering Luka played seek a foul by running into him.
Even though it was in limited minutes, the Rook Will Richard continues to shine. He may never be a starter, but he could be getting a lot of minutes off the bench by the end of the season.
His defense was good and cutting to teh basket is something the warriors lacked with some of their players while Curry is on the floor.
Ahh, maturity, it’s a beautiful thing.
Take the focus off yourself and start looking around you and amazing things can happen.
It’s not, how am I fitting? It’s, how can I help. It’s not, what’s my role, I need a roll, it’s I’ll do what it takes.
Love the three-point shooting from JK last night and I love the 9 rebounds. He gets those two areas rolling and he can have all the minutes he wants. Plus, he’s fired up about defense? Skies the limit now.
And isn’t it amazing what a wake up call will do for your psyche. This is a beautiful thing to see, and since he’s young, I believe it will be a lasting thing and not just a flash for now.
Last night
Warriors are one level ahead of Lakers
more than 1 level. warriors didn’t even play their best game but lead almost the entire game. Lakers need to regroup and learn to play as a team or they will be a bottom team. Luka 41 minutes in first game is a huge red flag of JJs bad coaching.
Surprised your not asking for Smarts head on a skewer Arc , I would be … that arm lock was disgusting in live time and even worse upon review – Don’t know what a flagrant 2 is if that ain’t it … Hope league responds to it later today with appropriate measures
Bro they can’t get any better. Everybody acts like LeBron coming back will help. He is even worse on defense. Yes he gets Chase down blocks but he’s old and doesn’t slide his feet. Hopefully when they get that 50 million back they will be able too get defensive player.
For JJ Redick, What did you expect from a guy who doesn’t have any NBA coaching college coaching experience. This whole team is full of hookups and nepotism. I really like Luka but fortunately there’s nowhere to get better until next year. And for everyone else please don’t blame Ayton he is who he is.
Last night
Rockets have four 7 footers in the starting lineup
I have never seen it before?
Only one guy is small, power forward Amen Thompson
And Amen’s 6’7″.they
I was impressed that they led for most of the game despite 25 turnovers and their bad 3 pt shooting.
I’d forgotten what healthy Butler plays like (after watching him slowed by injuries in the Wolves series).
His impact last night was well above KD’s in the other game.
I was surprised Kerr not just started Kuminga but played him 32 minutes (after all of his comments about him not fitting with Steph, Dray, and Jimmy). I wonder how long starting him will last.
It’s one game. The wagonnerrs in full force.
Horford played 20 mins. Haven’t see him yet. Lakers aren’t a top team and they were missing their best player. Relax and watch them for 20 gms. You might learn something.