Jonathan Kuminga Shines with 30 Points in Warriors’ Loss

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Jonathan Kuminga scored a career-high 30 points off the bench in a losing effort for the Golden State Warriors against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. With star player Steph Curry sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Kuminga’s performance was a crucial highlight in the Warriors’ 102-97 playoff loss.

During a decisive play late in the first quarter, Kuminga executed an impressive block on Jaden McDaniels before scoring an and-1 shot over Rudy Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. “This is the Jonathan we missed,” commented Buddy Hield after the game. “I’m so happy for him to see him be aggressive and play basketball without second guessing himself.”

The 22-year-old forward was efficient on the court, shooting 11-for-18 and contributing significantly to the game despite the Warriors fading in the fourth quarter as Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves took over. Kuminga and Jimmy Butler combined for 63 points in the game, but foul trouble for Draymond Green and inconsistency from Brandin Podziemski left the team struggling in the final moments.

“JK played one of the best games of his life,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr. “You can see how necessary he is in this matchup, especially without Steph. He’s capable of giving us points and getting to the rim.” At +5, Kuminga had the only positive plus-minus for Golden State in the loss.

Kuminga’s success comes after a stretch of games where he was removed from the rotation. Kerr had previously relied on a different style of play when Curry was healthy. However, without Curry, the team needed Kuminga to score and effectively connect with Butler on the floor. “It’s a beautiful sight to see,” Butler said. “We can thrive together.”

The Warriors shot poorly from beyond the arc, going 0-for-5 in the first half. They focused on attacking the paint in lieu of outside shooting. While the two stars shot well, the rest of the team struggled, shooting just 32.4% from the field.

Kuminga had to prepare himself mentally for this opportunity, maintaining focus during his time on the bench. “It’s very tough being out of the rotation,” he admitted. “But I knew I had to stay ready.” This mindset proved beneficial as he earned increased minutes and performed well when called upon.

As the series continues, the Warriors need Kuminga to sustain this level of play while they await Curry’s return. The Warriors are now down 2-1 in the series, making Monday’s game a must-win. “It’s just part of the journey,” Kuminga reflected, expressing disappointment in the loss. “But I’m glad things went well for me.”