SAN FRANCISCO – If the Warriors actually seen Sunday’s regular-season finale towards the Clippers as a playoff sport, then the 124-119 time beyond regulation loss to the Clippers might have been a glimpse into ahead Jonathan Kuminga’s playoff future.
The fourth-year participant was wholesome however didn’t play a single second in a sport that noticed veteran forwards Draymond Inexperienced and Jimmy Butler log heavy minutes.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned that he knowledgeable the 22-year-old of the plan earlier than the sport.
“I told him in the walkthrough that we were going to change things,” Kerr mentioned. “I didn’t tell him he wasn’t going to play because I wasn’t sure if he was going to play or not, but I told him that we were not going to go to the usual rotation in the first quarter. ”
Kerr attributed that reality to Butler enjoying at a excessive stage, and the truth that lineups with each Butler and Kuminga have tended to wrestle for the reason that Warriors traded for Butler in February.
“It doesn’t mean they’re out of the loop going forward, it’s just how this game played out,” Kerr mentioned of Kuminga and Gui Santos, who additionally didn’t play.
Star Steph Curry echoed his coach and gave his youthful teammate some recommendation.
“Just to be ready,” Curry mentioned of his message to Kuminga. “It’s just the test of a young player in this league, and especially on our team. You never know when your moment will be there, and it could be the brightest or highest of moments.”
Curry famous that in his time with Group USA on the Olympics this previous summer time, a number of gamers didn’t play in key video games, however that they dealt with it effectively and remained prepared.
Golden State Warriors ahead Jonathan Kuminga, heart, shoots as Los Angeles Lakers ahead Dorian Finney-Smith, left, and ahead LeBron James defend in the course of the first half of an NBA basketball sport Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Picture/Mark J. Terrill)
To Kuminga’s credit score, he didn’t sulk after sitting on the bench for the whole lot of a sport that noticed Golden State doomed to take part within the play-in match.
Lengthy after the followers had left, Kuminga was seen going via taking pictures drills with coaches on the empty Chase Middle courtroom.
Kuminga, who’s averaging 15.2 factors, 4.6 rebounds and a couple of.2 assists per sport, has had an up-and-down fourth season.
He has performed in simply 47 video games, lacking 31 with a extreme proper ankle damage that held him out from Jan. 5 to March 15.
Earlier than the damage, Kuminga was averaging 16.8 factors and enjoying 26 minutes per sport.
After the blockbuster, Kuminga’s enjoying time fell to twenty.8 minutes and simply 12.2 factors per sport, as he grew to become a part of a crowded reserve wing rotation that features Gui Santos and Gary Payton III.
He has had his moments, like when Kuminga closed out a victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles final week. He has additionally seen his minutes decline over the previous few video games.
However like each Kerr and Curry mentioned, Kuminga might have an opportunity to shine quickly.
The Warriors, who have been outrebounded by 17 towards the Clippers, will tackle a Memphis crew that entered Sunday ranked No. 2 within the league in rebounds per sport (47.2).
The 6-foot-9 Kuminga, with elite athleticism and an imposing 6-foot-9 body, may very well be known as upon to make an influence of their play-in sport.
“It wasn’t his time tonight, and you know, against Memphis, it could be a game where he makes his presence felt,” Curry mentioned.
