For the fifth consecutive game, Kuminga didn't play for the Warriors despite the team's back-to-back situation against the Nets.
Following the Golden State Warriors' 120-107 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, Steve Kerr went blunt as he was asked if there's still a pathway for Jonathan Kuminga to return to the team's rotation.
"There is," he said. "It’s tough because he’s not really a short-minutes player. I played a bunch of guys eight to ten minutes, but JK is someone who needs rhythm. He’s not like Gui [Santos] who can just come in, or Pat [Spencer] who can fly around with energy for four minutes, and come out.
"He needs that rhythm."
Monday night served as Kuminga’s fifth straight DNP for the Warriors. His most recent appearance came in the team’s 99–98 loss to the Phoenix Suns last Dec. 18, and even before that, he had already been sidelined for three consecutive games by Kerr.
As such, this serves as the second night of the team's back-to-back outing after the Sunday loss against the Toronto Raptors. But interestingly, Kerr didn't insert Kuminga into the game in order to let his core players earn needed rest.
Among the team's active list, Kuminga was the only one who didn't enter the game for Golden State against Brooklyn.
"He always has to stay ready, and there is a pathway there, but right now it’s not there," Kerr insisted. "Things change quickly in the NBA."
As Kuminga is yet to get that rhythm upon continued DNPs under Kerr, his future with the Warriors beyond his Jan. 15 trade eligibility will only draw more anticipation.
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