Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors
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Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors sits on the end of the bench during their game against the New York Knicks.
Jonathan Kuminga’s return to the Golden State Warriors’ rotation was brief — and now, abruptly paused.
The Warriors officially ruled Kuminga out for Saturday’s road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, listing the 23-year-old forward as out with left knee soreness on the NBA’s injury report. The setback comes at a pivotal moment for both the team and the former lottery pick, who had only just reentered the rotation after nearly a month of DNPs.
Knee Soreness Sidelines Warriors Forward
Kuminga suffered the injury Thursday night in Dallas after landing awkwardly while driving to the basket at the 4:29 mark of the second quarter. He immediately grabbed at his leg and limped off the floor, ending what had been an electric performance.
In just nine minutes of action, Kuminga scored 10 points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting, added 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, and injected much-needed energy into Golden State’s lineup before exiting.
Steve Kerr Calls Injury ‘A Shame’ After Kuminga’s Strong Return
After the game, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr expressed frustration over the timing of the injury, calling it “a shame” given Kuminga’s impact in only his second game back in the rotation.
“I just talked to him,” Kerr said. “He said he’s going to get an MRI (Friday). It was both the knee and the ankle. We’ll see how bad it is. It’s such a shame. He was playing great, and that definitely hurt as well — not having him available for the second half.”
Kerr’s comments underscored how quickly Kuminga had reasserted himself after being sidelined for nearly a month amid rotational changes.
ESPN: Kuminga Injury Not Believed to Be Serious
There was some early optimism surrounding Kuminga’s status. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that initial testing on Kuminga’s knee and ankle did not raise major alarms.
“Neither issue is believed to be serious,” Slater wrote, citing a league source.
Kuminga told ESPN that the knee was bothering him more than the ankle and that he planned to see how it responded before deciding whether further imaging was necessary.
Productive Return After Butler Injury
Kuminga’s reappearance came in the aftermath of Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL tear, a blow that forced the Warriors to reshuffle their rotation. In the two games since Butler went down, Kuminga totaled 30 points in 30 minutes, shooting 10-of-13 from the field, 1-of-3 from three, and 9-of-12 at the line, while also contributing six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Despite that efficiency, Golden State dropped both games. Before Butler’s injury, the Warriors had been riding a four-game winning streak and had won six of seven.
Stephen Curry Praises Kuminga’s Readiness
Warriors star Stephen Curry praised Kuminga for staying prepared despite the long layoff.
“It’s just a tribute to him just staying ready,” Curry said. “I know it’s been a while since he played, but the work that he was putting in… he looked good. He looked comfortable out there. Hopefully, he’s not out too long and can pick up where he left off.”
Trade Tension Still Looms Over Warriors, Kuminga
Even as the Warriors planned to expand Kuminga’s role following Butler’s injury, uncertainty continues to surround his future with the franchise.
NBA insider Chris Haynes reported this week that Kuminga remains intent on being moved ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
“Sources have told me that Kuminga has no desire to remain with the Golden State Warriors,” Haynes said Thursday on NBA on Prime. “He is very much hoping that he will be dealt by the deadline.”
Haynes added that the relationship between Kuminga and Kerr remains strained, describing it as “fractured beyond repair,” with the forward feeling “devalued” by the organization.
Kuminga’s latest setback puts his short-term availability — and long-term future — back in question, as the Warriors attempt to navigate injuries, trade pressure, and a suddenly unstable rotation.