Kuminga’s ‘gift’ comes to life on the bench of Warriors vs. Pelicans originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Although the numbers suggest otherwise, Jonathan Kuminga didn’t see much difference between his breakout game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday and the Warriors’ three previous games.
From Kuminga’s point of view, the only difference was that the same shots he had made and missed started falling. The Golden State big man, together with Lindy Waters III, provided a dominant evening for the Warriors.
Kuminga scored a season-high 17 points with three assists and two steals and a blocked shot in the Warriors’ 124-106 win at Chase Center.
“Because I scored more, it seemed like I had a flow,” Kuminga said. “I did the same thing as Game 2, 3 … still attacking the rim, applying pressure [on opponents]. Things arrived today. It looks like I’m doing something different, but I shouldn’t be. My gift and my nature is to attack the rim as much as possible.
Kuminga’s game has always been centered around his aggressiveness to get to the rim with ferocity, something that has made him one of the best players in the NBA when it comes to attacking the court.
Until Tuesday, however, those moments were few and far between this season. Through Golden State’s first three games, Kuminga had made a total of 24 shots while deferring to the other starters.
After receiving a text from the Warriors before the game informing him that he would be coming off the bench against the Pelicans, Kuminga wasn’t worried and instead channeled any frustration he’d been having into what was by far his best game of the young man was. 2024-2025 NBA season.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn’t seem too surprised. He said he made the decision to move Kuminga to the bench for distance reasons.
“I wanted a little more space and I knew it was going to be a JK game,” Kerr said. “I knew he would play a lot because he played well against [the Pelicans]. The matchups are good for him.”
Kuminga almost chuckled at Kerr’s last sentence.
“I usually play well against everyone,” he said.
That wasn’t the case in the Warriors’ first three games, when Kuminga scored 10, two and 12 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.
Getting off the couch ended up being something of a blessing in disguise. He played 28 minutes, six more than in the first three games, helping Golden State’s bench to a 54-30 scoring advantage over the Pelicans.
“I thought JK was great,” Kerr said. ‘Of course we will need him. He is our most athletic player. He has great size, and there are games like tonight where we have to have him, and other games where things might not go his way, and that’s OK. Because the first three games did not go as planned, we now have 78 more.
“I am confident that JK will make a huge impact for us.”
Kuminga did not seem to be bothered by having to come off the bench. He tried to keep the same attitude and approach he used in every match.
“We have ups and downs, not every game is your game,” he said. “Today was exactly the same, but it was one of my nights. I wouldn’t say it was my best night.”
Maybe not, but the Warriors will take nights like this from Kuminga every game if they can get them.
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