Warriors’ Kuminga Shines in Return Amid Curry’s Historic Milestone

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga returned to the court on March 14, 2025, after a lengthy rehabilitation from a right ankle injury, contributing to a dominant 130-104 victory over the Sacramento Kings. Kuminga, who had missed 31 consecutive games, scored 18 points in just 20 minutes, showcasing his athleticism and skill on offense.

During his recovery, Kuminga faced challenges with swelling in his ankle, but he persisted through workouts, gradually regaining his explosive movements. Warriors coach Steve Kerr noted, “We were never going to rush him. He was able to get four or five scrimmages the last couple weeks. His last two scrimmages you could see were noticeably better. He looked like he had that pop back.”

Kuminga’s return added a new dimension to the Warriors’ offense, particularly as defenses focused on stopping Steph Curry. In the fourth quarter, he electrified the crowd with three highlight-worthy dunks in a span of two minutes.

The first dunk came off a play where Curry drew a double team, allowing Kuminga to exploit the open space beneath the basket. The second dunk was executed with Kuminga cutting sharply after passing to Moses Moody. His improved timing in recognizing openings on the floor was evident. Kerr praised this enhanced instinct, stating it had grown significantly over the past two seasons.

For the third dunk, Kuminga utilized a back screen set by Curry, leading to an easy alley-oop from Draymond Green as Kings’ defense struggled to adapt. “What you notice is the different dimension he gives us with his explosion,” Kerr said after the game.

Despite his nervousness before returning, Kuminga expressed relief and excitement about his performance. “I’ve never got hurt the way I did, and I didn’t know what it was until our staff told me that it’s something that’s going to take a little longer than usual,” he said. “We knew it wasn’t just a simple ankle sprain.”

The Warriors have recently gained momentum with the addition of star Jimmy Butler, winning 12 of their last 13 games, including 11 in a row. Draymond Green acknowledged Kuminga’s importance despite the team’s success, stating, “We needed him back in a major way.”

Kuminga’s return came with a minutes restriction that prevented him from fully integrating into certain lineups. Kerr mentioned his plans for closing combinations that would include Curry, Butler, Green, and Kuminga, but the team still needs to determine the best fifth player to support this core.

As the season progresses, the Warriors will explore lineup combinations that incorporate Kuminga, while trying to secure a top-six seed for the playoffs. The Bulls’ Jimmy Butler commented on Kuminga’s return, emphasizing his high-energy play. “Jumping out the gym, dunking the basketball. I want him to be him,” Butler stated.

Additionally, during the same game, Steph Curry made history, becoming the first player in NBA history to reach 4,000 three-pointers, a milestone he achieved with ease against the Kings. He sits nearly 1,000 three-pointers ahead of the next closest player, James Harden. This accomplishment further solidified Curry’s status as one of the greatest shooters in NBA history.

As Kuminga reintegrates and Curry continues to break records, the Warriors aim to enhance their championship prospects in a competitive season.