Jonathan Kuminga Set for Return as Warriors Look to Inject Athleticism into Struggling Rotation
SAN FRANCISCO - After three straight games riding the bench, Jonathan Kuminga is heading back into the Warriors’ rotation-and not a moment too soon. Golden State, sitting just below .500 at 13-14 and eighth in the Western Conference, is looking for answers after back-to-back losses that exposed a glaring lack of athleticism and energy, especially in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Steve Kerr confirmed Wednesday that Kuminga will be back on the floor Thursday night when the Warriors visit the Suns in Phoenix. Whether he starts or comes off the bench is still up in the air, but Kerr made it clear this return is about rewarding effort and readiness.
“You definitely want to see how guys respond in practice,” Kerr said. “And I can tell you, JK has been great this last week as he's been out of the rotation. He's working really hard, and I'm going to reward that.”
A Boost Where It’s Needed Most
The Warriors’ recent struggles haven’t just been about execution-they’ve been about energy. In Sunday’s 136-131 loss to the Trail Blazers, Golden State coughed up another fourth-quarter lead, and the difference in athleticism was hard to miss. Portland simply looked faster, more explosive, and more aggressive down the stretch.
That’s where Kuminga comes in. At 23, he’s the most athletic player on this roster. His ability to run the floor, attack the rim, and defend multiple positions brings a dynamic the Warriors have been sorely lacking.
Still, it’s been a bumpy ride for the former lottery pick this season. Kuminga started the first 12 games before being sidelined with bilateral knee tendinitis. After missing seven games, he returned on Dec. 2 in a bench role but couldn’t find a rhythm-scoring just 17 points on 7-of-22 shooting across two games, with 13 rebounds, three assists, and five turnovers.
Kerr gave him another shot in the starting lineup on Dec. 6 in Cleveland, but Kuminga struggled again, finishing with just four points on 1-of-10 shooting. He did grab seven boards, but the offensive inefficiency was tough to ignore. That performance pushed him out of the rotation entirely for the next three games.
The Warriors went 1-2 during that stretch.
Kerr: “He needs to be back out there”
Despite the inconsistency, Kerr believes Kuminga’s time away has lit a fire.
“He needs to be back out there,” Kerr said, emphasizing that Kuminga’s work ethic over the past week has earned him another opportunity.
And this isn’t just about short-term rotation tweaks. Kuminga signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension during training camp, and Golden State would like to see that investment pay off. While his name continues to circulate in trade chatter-he can’t be dealt until Jan. 15-the Warriors are clearly hoping he can still develop into a key piece of their present and future.
What’s Next?
For now, the focus is on Thursday night in Phoenix. The Warriors are trying to avoid slipping further down the Western Conference standings, and Kuminga’s return offers a chance to reintroduce some much-needed athleticism and defensive versatility.
Kerr has shown a willingness to experiment with lineups this season, but for now, he’s sticking with a starting five of Stephen Curry, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler III, Draymond Green, and Quinten Post. That likely means Kuminga will come off the bench-at least to start-but if he brings the energy and impact Kerr is hoping for, it wouldn’t be surprising to see his role grow quickly.
Golden State doesn’t just need bodies right now-they need a spark. And Kuminga, with all his raw athleticism and untapped potential, might be just the jolt they’ve been missing.