Jonathan Kuminga Diagnosed with Bone Bruise in Left Knee, No Return Timeline Set
The Warriors will be without Jonathan Kuminga for at least the immediate future after the 23-year-old forward was diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee. The injury was confirmed Sunday, just ahead of Golden State’s matchup with the Timberwolves in Minneapolis.
Kuminga went down in the second quarter of Thursday’s loss to the Mavericks, landing awkwardly after rolling his ankle and hyperextending his knee. He limped to the sideline, briefly took a seat courtside, then made his way back to the locker room under his own power.
An MRI on Friday revealed the bone bruise, and the team ruled him out for the Minnesota game originally scheduled for Saturday. That game was ultimately postponed after a federal law enforcement shooting in the city sparked protests. The Warriors are still set to face the Timberwolves again on Monday, but Kuminga won’t be in the lineup - and the team hasn’t provided a timeline for his return.
The timing of the injury adds another layer to what’s already been a turbulent stretch for Kuminga. He had just rejoined the rotation after being benched since December 18. His frustration with the situation boiled over earlier this month when he formally requested a trade on January 15 - the first day he became eligible to be moved after signing an extension in September.
But the Warriors’ hand was forced when Jimmy Butler suffered a torn ACL last Monday, opening the door for Kuminga to return to the floor. He made the most of that opportunity, scoring 30 points in 30 minutes across two games before the injury struck.
With the NBA trade deadline looming next Thursday, February 5, Kuminga’s status becomes even more complicated. Whether the Warriors still intend to move him - or if his recent play (and now, injury) shifts their thinking - remains to be seen. But for now, Golden State loses a young, athletic contributor just as he was starting to find his rhythm again.