Jonathan Kuminga injury, Warriors
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Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors hugs a Golden State Warriors security guard before their game against the New York Knicks at Chase Center on January 15, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Fifth-year Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his left knee, the team announced on Sunday. The Congolese player suffered the injury when he rolled his ankle and hyperextended his knee during Thursday night’s 123-115 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
Initial tests had ruled out a severe injury, but an MRI on Friday determined that Kuminga suffered a bone bruise as a result of the hyperextension injury.
“His progress will be monitored and a re-evaluation date will be determined in the coming days,” the Warriors noted via a press release.
Marc Stein
The Warriors say Jonathan Kuminga has been sidelined by a bone bruise in his left knee. No recovery timetable has yet been established.
Jonathan Kuminga Injury Setback
The Kuminga injury comes at a devastating time for the Warriors, less than a week after Jimmy Butler III suffered a season-ending ACL tear. The Butler injury forced Warriors head coach Steve Kerr to re-insert Kuminga into the rotation after hitting him with a streak of 16 DNPs through late December and January.
In his two games back, Kuminga made an immediate impact as a microwave scorer off the bench. After logging 20 points in just 21 minutes against the Toronto Raptors, he had 10 points in just nine minutes versus the Mavericks before hyperextending his knee. The injury occurred at the 4:29 mark of the second quarter when he landed awkwardly while driving to the basket. According to Warriors writers at the arena, Kuminga tried his level best to stay on the court but eventually asked to head to the trainer’s room to receive treatment. It was initially believed his injury wasn’t too serious, with the Warriors listing him as questionable to return in the second half.
What Next for Warriors?
Kuminga even earned the praise of Kerr for his performances against the Raptors and Mavericks, with the Warriors head coach calling the injury setback “a shame,” as he felt the youngster had earned his minutes in the rotation after a month of DNPs.
“He came in and had great energy, attacked the rim, made some shots,” Kerr said of Kuminga after Thursday’s game.
“I thought JK was really good, and it’s a great sign with Jimmy (Butler) out, obviously. There’s a hole at that spot on our roster, so JK is going to factor in here again. (I’m) really pleased with the way he stayed ready and stayed prepared, got his opportunity and played really well.”
Kuminga also basked in praise from Warriors veterans Stephen Curry and Draymond Green for “staying ready” and being professional through his absence from the rotation.
“It’s just a tribute to him just staying ready,” Curry said of Kuminga, via The Athletic.
“I know it’s been a while since he played, but the work that he was putting in and understanding how things have drastically changed from one game to the next. He looked good. He looked like he was comfortable out there. Hopefully, he’s not out too long and can pick up where he left off.”
It now remains to be seen if Kuminga’s injury throws a wrench in Golden State’s plans to trade him before the Feb. 5 NBA trade deadline. Notably, Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic has been sidelined for nearly a month since being diagnosed with a bone bruise after he hyperextended his left knee on Dec. 29. It’s unclear if Kuminga’s bone bruise is just as severe as the one suffered by the three-time MVP.