Warriors Host Red-Hot Knicks Amid Kuminga Trade Drama
The Golden State Warriors are back in action Thursday night, welcoming the New York Knicks to Chase Center for a high-stakes matchup that tips off at 7:00 PM PT. The game will stream live on Prime Video, and while the spotlight should be on the court, there’s no ignoring the noise swirling around the team heading into Game 42 of the regular season.
A Strong Showing in Portland - Even Without Steph’s Fireworks
Golden State is coming off a commanding 119-97 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night, a game they controlled from start to finish. Portland was undermanned, missing key scorers Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant, and the Warriors wasted no time capitalizing.
What stood out most? It wasn’t Steph Curry lighting up the scoreboard - he had just seven points - but the bench stepping up in a major way.
De’Anthony Melton led the charge with a season-high 23 points, spearheading a second unit that built enough of a cushion to let the vets take a breather in the fourth. That kind of depth performance is exactly what Golden State has been searching for all season, especially as they try to build consistency in the middle stretch of the schedule.
Spotlight Shifts Off the Court: Kuminga Requests Trade
While Thursday’s game has all the makings of a marquee showdown - the Knicks come in with the second-best record in the East at 25-15 - the Warriors find themselves dealing with a major off-court development. Forward Jonathan Kuminga officially requested a trade Thursday morning, the same day he became eligible to be moved.
Kuminga has been a DNP (Did Not Play) for 13 straight games, and his absence is expected to continue as the situation unfolds. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that once saw him as a key piece of the future. Now, the Warriors must navigate the fallout while keeping their focus on the floor.
Knicks Missing Key Pieces - Can the Warriors Stay Locked In?
Despite the drama, there’s a real opportunity for Golden State to grab another win. The Knicks will be without two of their most important players in Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson. Brunson’s absence takes away New York’s primary shot creator and floor general, while Robinson’s injury leaves a major void in the paint - an area where the Warriors have struggled to assert themselves at times.
The challenge for Golden State is staying mentally locked in. With trade rumors swirling and rotation questions lingering, this is the kind of game that tests a team’s focus and maturity.
Can the bench replicate its Portland performance? Will the veterans come out with energy from the jump?
And most importantly, can the Warriors keep the distractions from bleeding into their play?
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just another regular season game - it’s a measuring stick. The Knicks have been one of the most consistent teams in the East, and even shorthanded, they bring a level of physicality and defensive toughness that can expose any lapses in execution. For Golden State, a win here would not only be a statement but a sign that they’re ready to push through the noise and make a second-half run.
Game Info
- Matchup: Golden State Warriors vs. New York Knicks
- Date: Thursday, January 15
- Time: 7:00 PM PT
- Location: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
- Watch: Prime Video
Projected starters haven’t been officially confirmed, but expect the Warriors to lean heavily on their core veterans, especially with Kuminga out and the bench riding high after Tuesday’s performance.
The stage is set. Now it’s up to the Warriors to deliver - on the court, and in the face of growing uncertainty off it.