After three consecutive games riding the pine, Jonathan Kuminga finally logged some minutes in the Golden State Warriors’ loss to the Phoenix Suns on December 18. The third-year forward saw just over nine minutes of action-9:31 to be exact-but the rust was evident.
He finished with just two points on 1-of-5 shooting. Still, he managed to grab four boards and dish out an assist in his limited run.
It wasn’t a breakout performance, but it was a step back onto the court, and that in itself was notable.
Head coach Steve Kerr addressed Kuminga’s return postgame, highlighting what the team was hoping to get out of his minutes.
“We wanted him to get out there and use his speed and athleticism, set screens and dives,” Kerr said. “He had a good pass to Gui in the first half from the pocket, and it's good to see him back out there. As I said, he's handled himself really well this last week, and I wanted to reward that.”
That comment from Kerr speaks volumes. This wasn’t just about getting Kuminga some burn-it was about acknowledging his professionalism in a tough stretch.
For a young player who was once viewed as a cornerstone of the Warriors’ future, being sidelined for three straight games can’t be easy. But according to Kerr, Kuminga’s attitude and approach earned him another look.
Now, whether that was a one-off gesture or the beginning of a renewed role in the rotation remains to be seen.
The bigger picture here is Kuminga’s uncertain future with Golden State. With the trade deadline looming on February 5, his name has surfaced in league chatter.
And it makes sense. After a strong start to the season, Kuminga’s role has dwindled, and he’s struggled to find consistency on either end of the floor.
The tools are there-athleticism, strength, flashes of scoring touch-but the fit in Golden State’s system hasn’t quite clicked.
That said, any potential move depends on what kind of offers the Warriors receive. Golden State isn’t going to give him away for nothing. They know what kind of upside Kuminga brings, even if it hasn’t fully materialized yet.
Through 18 games this season, Kuminga is averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 43.1% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc. Those numbers show promise, but also reflect the inconsistency that’s kept him from locking down a bigger role.
With another matchup against the Suns coming up on Saturday, December 21, Kuminga will be hoping for another opportunity to make his case. Whether it’s to earn more minutes in Kerr’s rotation or to showcase himself for other teams, every chance he gets from here on out carries a little more weight.