Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors suffered a scare when the 23-year-old forward left Thursday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks due to knee and ankle injuries.
Some of Kuminga’s biggest admirers in the Sacramento Kings organization might have felt some concern as well, but all parties were able to breathe a sigh of relief following a preliminary round of medical tests.
Kuminga was injured in the second quarter of Golden State’s 123-115 loss to the Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Kuminga left the game with 3:52 to play in the first half and did not return. He finished with 10 points in nine minutes after going 3 of 3 from the field and 4 of 4 at the free-throw line.
ESPN reported that Kuminga twisted his left ankle and hyperextended his left knee when he was fouled by Naji Marshall on a driving layup attempt. A league source told ESPN’s Anthony Slater neither injury was believed to be serious based on initial testing, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Kuminga will undergo an MRI on Friday.
The Kings have been linked to Kuminga for months. They discussed a sign-and-trade deal with the Warriors when Kuminga was a restricted free agent over the summer, but they were unable to reach an agreement. Kuminga ultimately agreed to stay with the Warriors on a new two-year, $46.8 million contract, but he demanded a trade last week with the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline fast approaching.
The Kings have long been considered the top suitor for Kuminga, but they will likely need a third team to facilitate a deal unless the Warriors are willing to take Malik Monk or DeMar DeRozan. Neither player has piqued Golden State’s interest, but the Warriors might rethink their options after losing Jimmy Butler to a season-ending knee injury on Monday.
With Butler out, Kuminga returned to Kerr’s rotation in Tuesday’s loss to the Toronto Raptors after sitting out 16 consecutive games. Kuminga came off the bench to score 20 points in 21 minutes while going 7 of 10 from the field.
Kuminga is suddenly expected to play a key role for the Warriors with Butler sidelined due to injury, but ESPN reported that Kuminga’s “animosity toward the organization remains ... as does his desire to be traded elsewhere in the near future.”