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Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors could get Jonathan Kuminga back soon. Head coach Steve Kerr provided an update on the forward’s recovery during an appearance on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs” that suggests his absence won’t be lengthy.
Kuminga left the Warriors’ recent road trip early and returned home to focus on rehabilitation. Kerr described the injury as day-to-day and expressed hope that Kuminga would return quickly.
“[Jonathan Kuminga] left the trip early, came home a couple of days ago to really focus on rehab,” Kerr said. “We’re hoping that he’s not out for too long and that he’ll be able to play. But it literally is one of those things where it’s just day-to-day.”
Kerr planned to speak with the training staff and see Kuminga before Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons. The hope is that this absence won’t drag on much longer.
95.7 The Game
“[Jonathan Kuminga] left the trip early, came home a couple days ago to really focus on rehab…It’s just day-to-day…Hopefully this won’t last too long.”
– Steve Kerr with a JK injury update on @WillardAndDibs.
The Injury Details
Jonathan Kuminga, Steve Kerr, Warriors
GettyJonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga tweaked his ankle during a game against the Dallas Mavericks. An MRI revealed a bone bruise caused by hyperextension. The injury isn’t considered serious, but bone bruises can be unpredictable in terms of recovery time.
Golden State posted a 2-1 record in the three games Kuminga missed, showing some resilience without him. But the Warriors sit at 27-22 and eighth in the Western Conference. They need every available body to secure a playoff position.
Getting Kuminga back strengthens the rotation immediately. His athleticism and scoring ability provide dimensions Golden State desperately needs, especially with Jimmy Butler out for the season with a torn ACL.
The Warriors’ Giannis Factor
Kuminga’s return timeline matters beyond just on-court production. The February 5 trade deadline looms, and Kuminga remains central to Golden State’s potential moves.
Kerr acknowledged having conversations with Kuminga about his future and current status with the team. They talk frequently, Kerr said, though they haven’t specifically discussed the upcoming deadline in the past week or two.
“He and I have had many conversations about his future, about his current status on the team,” Kerr said. “We talk frequently. We have not spoken about this trade deadline for the last week or two, but we talk all the time.”
Kerr emphasized his commitment to transparency with players. Everyone wants honesty, he explained. He’s always open to conversations with his players and addresses issues directly when they arise.
Kuminga demanded a trade from the Warriors earlier this month. His relationship with Kerr appeared fractured after weeks of sporadic playing time. Butler’s injury forced Golden State to rely on the 23-year-old forward to shore up the rotation, creating an awkward situation for both sides.
The Warriors haven’t had any choice but to keep Kuminga around despite his trade request. They need his minutes now more than ever. Whether that changes his value or desire to leave remains unclear.
The Giannis Factor
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Warriors
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors talks to Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Golden State is closely linked to trade talks involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. Acquiring the Milwaukee Bucks superstar would transform the Warriors’ championship odds, but any deal would almost certainly require including Kuminga.
The 23-year-old represents the kind of young, controllable talent Milwaukee is seeking in return. His upside on a team-friendly contract makes him valuable to a rebuilding franchise. Golden State would need to include him alongside Butler’s contract and significant draft capital to land Antetokounmpo.
That creates tension around Kuminga’s injury recovery. If he’s healthy and playing well, his trade value increases. If he’s sidelined or struggling upon return, Milwaukee might demand additional assets. The Warriors need him on the court to boost his market value, but they also need him healthy to contribute if a Giannis trade doesn’t materialize.
Final Word
Kerr’s optimism about Kuminga’s recovery timeline is good news for a Warriors team desperate for depth. Getting him back before the trade deadline gives Golden State flexibility to either showcase him in potential deals or lean on him if they stand pat.
The awkwardness of the situation isn’t lost on anyone involved. Kuminga wants out. The Warriors need him. His injury forced both sides into an uncomfortable holding pattern. Now they’re waiting to see if he heals quickly enough to either raise his trade value or contribute to a playoff push.
If Kuminga returns healthy and Golden State moves him in a Giannis trade, his brief stint back in the rotation won’t matter much in the long term. If he returns and the Warriors keep him through the deadline, the relationship between player and coach will need serious repair work.
For now, the focus is getting him back on the court. Everything else—trade talks, future planning, roster construction—depends on his ankle responding well to treatment. Kerr’s day-to-day assessment suggests optimism, but bone bruises don’t follow predictable timelines. The Warriors will know more in the coming days whether Kuminga can return before February 5 or if his injury complicates their deadline strategy.