Jonathan Kuminga‘s first game with the Hawks on Tuesday was a resounding success, writes Paul Newberry of The Associated Press.
In 24 minutes off the bench, the former Warriors forward – who was dealt to Atlanta at the trade deadline – scored 27 points on 9-of-12 shooting to go along with seven rebounds, four assists, and a pair of steals. The Hawks outscored the Wizards by 16 minutes with Kuminga on the floor en route to a 119-98 victory.
As Lauren Williams of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution relays, head coach Quin Snyder told reporters after the game that Kuminga showed “a lot of maturity” by sharing the ball with his new teammates and letting the game come to him. The 23-year-old, whose Hawks debut was delayed due to a left knee bone bruise, said it hasn’t taken him long to get comfortable as he adjusts to his new club.
“I think is very simple,” Kuminga said. “It’s basketball at the end of the day. I try to be a student of the game, as much as I can to kind of be learning from other players here, from JJ (Jalen Johnson) and Nickeil (Alexander-Walker), just asking them questions about pretty much everything, just trying to pick their brain.”
We have more on the Hawks:
- Before Kuminga enjoyed a big Atlanta debut, the story entering Tuesday’s Hawks/Wizards matchup was Trae Young‘s return to his longtime NBA home. The veteran point guard, who made four All-Star teams during his time in Atlanta, still hasn’t played since being traded to Washington due to knee and quad issues, but he was on the Wizards’ bench and got emotional when the Hawks played a tribute video during the second quarter, writes Josh Robbins of The Athletic. “I just wanted the Hawks fans to know how much I love and appreciate them,” Young said before the game. “… The fans showed us so much love throughout the years that I was here, even the years that we were down. It felt like there was still a lot of love. So, I’ve got so much love for this city and these fans.”
- An otherwise positive night for the Hawks was marred to some extent by Jalen Johnson exiting Tuesday’s win in the first quarter due to a left hip flexor injury. The All-Star forward was ruled out for the rest of the game after being evaluated by the team’s training staff. “There was enough there not to send him back in the game,” Snyder explained, per ESPN. It’s unclear whether Johnson will miss additional time as a result of the injury.
- In case you missed it, former Hawk Nikola Djurisic is reportedly nearing a deal with the Serbian team Crvena Zvezda after having been waived by Atlanta last week.
Good game. It was never a question if he has talent. We just need to see him do a consistently. Hopefully he can build off of this performance. I’ll hold hold judgment because it did come against the wizards. Not really sure If the wizards are actually even developing players this year. Didn’t look like they had any plays. Young dudes just running around shooting the ball whenever they want.
This team needs to bring a coach in that can develop these young guys the rest of the season. Make them fight for minutes. Trae young should help when he returns in a couple weeks by getting teammates open and having the ball in his hands instead of letting these two-way players and young first round picks to shoot whenever they wanted
i do see him being able to average around 20 points a game. First game is against the Wizards so you can’t get too excited about the first game. I didn’t see the game so i don’t know how his defense played out. That was his problem Kerr’s switching on defense got him lost mnay times.
I watched the game and Kuminga was very active on the defensive end. He got 2 steals, some deflection, and stayed on the guys he was guarding. He bought into the game plan on both ends of the floor last night. What matters is consistency so we’ll see
@ Buying:
Lol, you’ve posted your (100% negative) judgement of Kuminga all season. I’m sure we’ll see that again as soon as he has a worse game.
Never a Question lol. Most of these Warrior fans have been trashing him for three years. They have no clue what talent looks like. I’m going to enjoy this SO Much now.
As a Warriors fan I would do ANYTHING to replace Kerr with Snyder. Kerr can’t stop doing smallball and it does not work in this league anymore.
I miss Kuminga already. Kerr is a lunatic and a basketball terrorist, he has nothing to stand on in terms of his own job – he stinks at every single aspect of the job and the work he is supposed to do. Classic washup who refuses to retire. Go hang on a beach and smoke weed, dude, its clearly what you want to do, where your head is at….
A lunatic basketball terrorist LMAO!!!
Hold your horses, Kuminga was playing against a g league team. He had many flashes like this at GS too, let’s see if he’s consistent.
Consistency has definitely been an issue.
Finally muted Davey lol after seeing him want Snyder over Kerr. Where did this sudden hype and praise for Quin Snyder come from? Year 4 and he has never even gotten to .500 with the Hawks. I get the injuries with Trae has hurt his tenure in ATL, but he also has a below .500 record in the playoffs. Didn’t even sniffed a Conference Finals appearance when he had Gobert/Mitchell/Ingles and O’Neal.
It’s not Snyder so much that Davey absolutely hates Kerr lol
I muted that guy a long time ago. I don’t mind dumb people and I don’t mind trolls. But if they’re dumb AND a troll its mute time.
Welcome to the support group raz. It’s a lot more peaceful over here.
I did so about two months ago and it’s just a relief not being called a loser, crybaby, etc. anymore.
By the way, over here, we DO know Ball lol
Always the same act, like a certain POTUS. Insult, degrade, attack when others don’t agree with him. Randomly throws in a Gen Z catchphrase (lil bro, YDKB etc) as well. Like What? Lol
Not trying to be political but yeah, the game should always be loved and looked at thru a fan’s eyes, but he’s just one of those fans who never is satisfied with anyone’s opinion or team.
Going to blast him to Kingdom come with the ridiculous Post is better than Vu statement he made back in December/January lol.
Nobody forces you to read Davey or follow him. Why would it matter what he says …..
It doesn’t. It just easier to read what everyone says without having to see this weird pseudo obsession/fetish of hating on Steve Kerr popping up in random articles lol.
Everything is better without Davey here in Hoopsrumors.
Personally I can only speak for myself, i respect everyone’s opinions on here whether it’s about their team, a specific team or player that’s not on their roster. I learn a lot from majority of the people who post in here, including Al lol. Not ashamed to say that this is becoming my daily routine for last 3-4 years while I’m at work lol.
We’ve seen this movie before with Kuminga……wait until he does his 1for 7 stuff
Feeling salty?
For his career Kuminga averages 20 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists per 36 minutes.
If you want to hate, do so, but Kuminga is a good player and everyone knows it.
I disagree with you Ghost. He has no skills. He has athleticism and that goes a long way.
I try to be as honest as possible, and I don’t think I’m in the salty group. I try to see the game for what it is my team or not.
I blame the Warriors, but not for the reason most have.
I think they drafted horribly. The development is on the player. You have to want it. Look at Moody‘s 3 point shooting as a perfect example.
The guy is a knock down three but was not when he came in the league. That’s time in the gym and hard work.
Ghost, kuminga is only 23 so if he continues to push himself and be coachable he’ll be fine.
He’s not wrong though. We have seen enough inconsistent play from him for last few years. I honestly think it’s time he shows a bit consistency and potential when he was selected 7th.
I think practically all warrior fans want him to succeed in Atlanta or elsewhere.
You have to pull for the kid.., I mean, why not?
But it wasn’t working with the Warriors and I would’ve been the first to sign up to drive him to the airport three years ago.
I’m just glad that my fellow Bulls fans (IRL) who kept gaslighting me saying JK to Bulls talk is done. -_-
You have no idea how much it was painful for me to even think that could happen.
Been saying it for last year or so, he is TJ Warren with more athleticism.
Yeah, you kinda know it probably won’t work out when he’s 6-6 or 6-7 and they say his best position is power forward.
He should’ve spent the same amount of time as Moody did working on that three ball. Just that alone would help his game takeoff immensely.
Davey is the guy whose takes are the sports equivalent of belching at your grandmother’s Thanksgiving table. Kuminga turning in a good line in a Hawks uniform just has to be Kerr’s fault.
LOL !!!!!!!!