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.
@arc89 GP2 is the lowest IQ guard on the team, by far. So many dumb plays but so much athleticism that makes you think he’s better than he is.
Luka put a bunch of his 43 points mostly on GP2s head, too. GP2’s defense is so overrated. Always and forever. He rarely locks anyone, just standing out there isn’t “good defense”.
I think its a bit of both, GSW had to claw through, you are right, the Lakers horrible, prison-style play (what was Smart doing to Steph, and how wasn’t he ejected?), but once they did that in the 3rd quarter, the Dubs really upped the pace and left Luka and scrubs in the dust. Get Luka help, yall.
Another thing I liked about GSW’s offense was how they immediately went to “going downhill” style which helps avoid one of their weaknesses (playing badly when the pace dips). GSW is in a great place because they can always have one of Curry, Jimmy or Dray at there for all 48 minutes (or until it’s blown out). That’s an elite scorer or playmaker, so if Buddy, Podz, Moody or Kuminga are hitting their shots, they will always have a way to keep the scoreboard moving – another big weakness from last year wass playing rotations with ice cold shooters and no playmakers. GSW is loaded up this year, I cannot wait to see how they fare vs OKC, DEN and HOU.
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
Lakers 2025 defense….File 404 not found
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..
Yup, I cannot wait for this matchup! All GSW games vs OKC, DEN and HOU are must-see tv this year, 100%
After last night, I have to add the Spurs – in case you missed it, Wemby’s been working on his ballhandling and shooting, and he absolutely destroyed AD and the Mavs last night with 40 pts on 15-21/1-2/9-11 with 15 reb 1 ast 3 blk and 0 TOs in just under 30 minutes.
The hype is real, there’s never before been a player that tall with his skills.
@NBA is OK
100% correct, the Spurs are definitely a top 6 team in the west this season. Fox was not even playing last night and they made the Mavs look like the struggle team they actually were always going to be without Kyrie. I have ZERO idea what Kerr is going to do to combat Wemby. Wemby might end small ball forever, all by himself.
Jason Kidd doesn’t know how to coach. There was very little passing and ball movement. It was go down the court and go one on one to the basket and attack.
Klay 4-13 and 1-5 from 3. Hm.
Buddy and Kuminga were the only ones worth anything for the warriors in that game. Luckily they were playing against a discombobulated Lakers. Because of Buddy hield is your best player, you’re in trouble. Especially if he isn’t starting, expect him to want out if he’s not a starter in a few weeks
Lol, Buddy’s not even close to being GSW’s best player. He’s found a home, he doesn’t care about starting.
Hes shooting 50% from 3 on 10 shots a game this year. He’s easily the best player. And he definitely cares about starting considering he could be up up for a contract next year
Lil D and the kids table: look up how Buddy started last season and then what happened. He does this every year. He is absolutely the 8th or 9th best player on the Warriors.
Last season was last season. We talking about this season. You don’t know how time works?
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.
Richard is literally a more developed NBA player than Podz is right now.
After 1 game.
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.
41 mins in a 10+ point loss is nasty, nasty work.
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
@Cap
No kidding – one would think that level of goon action by Smart (who injured Steph before by diving at his legs) would result in a suspension to send a message.
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.
I don’t understand JJs coaching. Last year their problem was defense. Their best defense player Vando only played 14 minutes. He doesn’t have an offensive game but why not use him to shut down Butler. Vincent was getting schooled by Butler all game long. ASyton the biggest guy on the court only 6 rebounds?? lakers are going to have a long season but if they let go of Lebron, Rui, Vincent, Kleber they can build around Luka and have a much better team.
My man your correct on everything you said but one thing. ” I don’t understand JJ’s coaching”
Trust me you understand it very well. There is no coaching. He doesn’t know how to coach. He got the job because he’s LeBron’s podcast buddy. He is what old people call a silver tongue. He went to Duke University so he knows how to say a whole bunch of nothing in interviews that sound like something. He doesn’t know what he is doing but people swear by him.
Like you said, how do you not play your best defender. Then you keep posting Ayton up against Hartford. Bro it’s just bad basketball. Luka really is that guy. Pride comes before fall and LeBron just doesn’t realize that the new owners don’t want him around and his time is come to an end. He will be gone giving the team 50 million to work with.
All that from one game. And missing their best player ……. yeah ok
If you think LeBron is there best player you don’t know basketball and think you’re smarter than you are AL. It’s not one game it’s the same team and coach from last year. JJ has no experience and doesn’t know what he is doing. LeBron plays no defense so how does he help the team. Explain with X’s and O’s not he Avg…. Points.
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.
Amen is 6’7″ that’s like a GSW big.
Great to see Kerr still won’t play TJD or Post as much as they need development. Al Horford should be used with kid gloves and those two should play way more.
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.
Anyone with basic hoop knowledge can see GSW’s best, highest-ceiling rotation is Jimmy at SG next to Curry. Problem is, Kerr refuses to use him there. Having Steph/Jim at guards and then Dray/JK as the forwards, and then either Post/Horford/TJD at the 5, is very likely their best look.
Butler is top 10 player and the real MVP candidate. He’s even better than Curry.
As for Kuminga, Kerr went out of his way to keep Kuminga on the floor. He didnt substitute him right away like he used to and was the last starter to be replaced. He also had him finishing the game. It was kind of fake. It’s almost like Kerr went our of his way to intentionally keep him on the floor? I mean he coupd have easily done that last yr.
Butler is nowhere even close to Curry. Curry is top 5, Butler is top 20. Not a bad duo to have though!
I dont disagree with you. Our Curry is a legend! But we need Butler to play like mvp to win another title. Getting ft bonus early for the team, getting opposing players in foul trouble, getting guarantee points at the most critical time, not to mention amazing defense. In Butler we trust!
“As for Kuminga, Kerr went out of his way to keep Kuminga on the floor.”
It’s more that in his first 4 years at GS, Kerr went out of his way to not keep Kuminga on the floor. When he played well, he got subbed off first. After a rare stretch of games as a starter, he’d inevitably go to bench and be one of the last to get on the floor, etc.
Kuminga played 32 minutes yesterday, and he deserved it. But there were many games where he played well in in the past, and Kerr chose other players in the 4th and to close games.
There’s enough data out there to see what rotations (other players) Kuminga has been a part of the last 4 years and let me tell yall:
P. U.
JK was given almost no chance to succeed. Rarely playing with Steph and Dray, always playing with 2way scrubs. Is JK a guy who can elevate 2way players? No, definitely not yet. Kerr tried to make that happen for 4 years.
Yeah, i still dont understand why in the past JK was first one to be substituted and the last one to get back in the game. He was a high pick and hasnt been a rookie un 4 yrs. Something behind the scene we dont know about. It wasnt all about play or winning. Hopefully, it’s all in the past.
Pretty simple – GS didn’t want him to let play himself into a big contract. I think it was the biggest part of it. They did the same with Moody. His minutes went significantly up after he signed a team-friendly deal.
Kuminga played 32 minutes on the opening night.
In his first 4 years, he had 27 games with 32+ minutes played. In 4 years.
Wagner, who was picked after him, had 38 games where he played 32+ minutes in his rookie season alone. Wagner got the max.
GS would never want to have players like Kuminga or Wagner on a max. Not until Curry is making almost 40% of the cap.
@Peter_Cantrope astute observation, I think that definitely played a lot into it. Underdeveloping high ceiling guys on purpose so they can get lower salaries so they can be kept on the team thanks to the new rules.
Moody had a 30 point game in the NBA as a 19 year old rookie, that there alone proves his ceiling in this league is high. GSW also saw this and proceeded to give him as little chances to succeed as possible, and they got him for pennies on the dollar…only to have him get injured a few times to make it appear like that ceiling was not close, when it always -could- have been, if GSW were planning on giving him the max, which was the opposite.
link to basketball-reference.com
I am also happy that Kerr literally made an effort to keep him in the gm so that JK doesnt lose faith. Sure enough, he delivered in the 3rd quarter. Confidence and trust will do wonders. Think about it. As well as Podz played last 2 yrs, he shouldnt be a priority over JK. And yet, Podz publicly says he wants to be the next leader and the one to carry the torch. Ouch. They jusr ruined the hierarchy in the locker room. JK is a 5th yr player. He started 84 gms. He patiently waited behind other veterans. At least he’s making $22-23m this yr and Keer is obligated to play him. W’s trio love Podz but they think of jk as potential star….
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.
Hey Al I told you Vincent was bad on defense and it showed last night.
His scouting says he’s a solid defender. And he was good on Miami. LA signed him cause he plays D.
they signed him for his 3 pt shooting.
Gabe Vincent plays zero defense. Did you not see THAT pick and roll Butler/Curry had where Steph crossed up Gabe and then ran at Luka, causing both Gabe and Luka to run with him…leaving Jimmy with the open layup?
Gabe Vincent is one of the worst players in the league, same level of all-round bad as Jordan Clarkson is on your always-overrated Knicks.
Do or die for GS and the Lakers