Jonathan Kuminga’s night against Golden State ended with a little extra edge, but he insisted the moment with the Warriors’ bench was nothing bigger than a conversation with familiar faces.
Late in the Timberwolves’ 119-114 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday night, Kuminga was seen going back and forth with members of Golden State’s bench. Given the way his time with the organization has ended, the exchange naturally stood out. Still, Kuminga said after the game that it was rooted in a personal connection, not a fresh issue.
“I was just talking to one of my good people out there,” Kuminga told reporters. “Just going back and forth with him because he used to be my (player development) coach, and you know, he was one of my brothers. It goes way beyond basketball, so that’s about it.”
Before tipoff, Kuminga had already brushed off the idea that the matchup carried anything extra.
“It’s just another day, man. It’s another game like facing any other team. But there’s going to be familiar faces.”
After the game, both Steve Kerr and Brandon Podziemski were complimentary of Kuminga. Podziemski said he’s pulling for his former teammate and pointed to the situation around him, not the players in the locker room.
“You root for any your ex-teammates. Obviously, the things that happen with him have nothing to do with the players in locker room, and so I'm happy for him.
He's found a home here. He's able to start every game, play the way he wants to play and have success doing it.
From one player to another, I'm more than happy for him.”
Kerr echoed that sentiment, saying he wants Kuminga to keep developing and have a strong career. He also praised the fit Kuminga has found in Minnesota.
“He's, like most young players, really learning and growing and getting better. So, as I said, more power to him.
I want him to have a great career and this seems like a good spot. He's got a great coach with Chris Finch, and he's playing with some superstar players in the backcourt, which is obviously very helpful for any player.
Yeah, wish him well.”
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