Although the Golden State Warriors delivered a poor performance in their Game 2 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jonathan Kuminga was an exception. The fourth-year forward was the team`s leading scorer, netting 18 points on efficient 8-of-11 shooting.
“I feel my confidence has returned,” he stated to reporters following the game.
Given the circumstances, it`s understandable if he had lost it.
Kuminga`s progress has often been hampered by setbacks just when he seemed to be finding his stride. An injury last season cut short a strong push for the Most Improved Player award. This season, another two-month absence due to injury coincided with significant team changes. The team dynamic where he had a defined role (the .500 group) was gone. With the acquisition of Jimmy Butler and elevated championship ambitions, Kuminga`s position on the roster suddenly seemed uncertain.
In April, Steve Kerr commented, “The lineup featuring Jimmy, Jonathan, and Draymond [Green] doesn`t mesh effectively.”
Shortly after, Kuminga was left out of the rotation for the final regular-season game. The first-round series victory against the Rockets proved inconsistent for him. An opportunity arose in Game 2 when Butler was injured, allowing Kuminga more minutes, but he didn`t capitalize effectively. Facing Houston`s tough zone defense in Game 7, desperation led to him getting brief playing time, but he appeared unsteady in his mere seven minutes. It seemed whenever the team faced a new challenge, they would consider whether Kuminga could be the solution.
Yet, things never truly clicked for him consistently.
That changed in Game 2 against Minnesota. With Stephen Curry absent and the Timberwolves aiming to level the series before heading to San Francisco, a Warriors win was a difficult prospect. Minnesota indeed secured a comfortable victory, but Kuminga stood out as Golden State`s only positive. If he was lacking confidence, Game 2 offered the perfect scenario for him to regain it.
Stephen Curry is arguably one of the most respected teammates in today`s NBA. Most players joining his team benefit greatly from his influence. However, playing alongside him requires adapting to a system that doesn`t suit every player. The fast decision-making and continuous movement characteristic of the Curry-led offense can be challenging for some. Often, larger, scoring-focused forwards find this adaptation hardest. Kelly Oubre Jr. serves as a recent illustration; he`s been effective in various roles on different teams but struggled to fit with Golden State.
Kuminga may represent a more skilled instance of this issue. He hasn`t consistently thrived within the Golden State system, partly because his unreliable 3-point shooting makes it difficult for him to function solely as a complementary player. Yet, with Curry sidelined and the team needing offensive production by any means necessary, Kuminga`s straightforward attacking style proved quite effective and promising.
He successfully created scoring opportunities by driving aggressively against defenders lacking athleticism. He also seemed comfortable taking midrange shots, which the Warriors typically discourage under normal conditions. However, given the team`s urgent need for offense, he was allowed the freedom to play to his strengths and find his flow.
This performance isn`t a definitive fix for his challenges with the Warriors but offers a potentially advantageous short-term solution for both the player and the team. Golden State desperately needs scoring from any source to remain competitive until Curry`s return. Kuminga, approaching restricted free agency, likely saw his market value diminish recently due to his reduced role. A few strong games benefit both parties: they could help keep the Warriors in contention and demonstrate to other NBA teams how Kuminga might perform in a system more aligned with his traditional skillset.
Consequently, he`s likely to have significant playing time in the upcoming games. While he might not start because of the chemistry concerns with Butler and Green, the 26 minutes he played in Game 2 serves as a probable minimum benchmark. He`ll have opportunities to create offense with the second unit and potentially earn minutes alongside the starters if he performs effectively.
Just when it appears Kuminga`s time with Golden State might be ending, circumstances consistently put him back into the game. He finally began seizing these opportunities on Thursday, and if this performance reflects his regained confidence, he could continue to excel as the series shifts back to California.
Jasper Hawthorne