Steve Kerr, Warriors, Kuminga
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Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors looks on during the second half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on December 31, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
As Jonathan Kuminga thrives in an Atlanta Hawks uniform, the Golden State Warriors‘ worst nightmare may be coming true. Naturally, the man most responsible for Kuminga’s tenuous Warriors stint — Steve Kerr — is under fire.
After Kuminga posted 20 points, seven rebounds and three assists in Sunday’s 135-101 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers, Kerr faced backlash from fans and analysts alike, who questioned the longtime Warriors head coach’s inability to unlock the Congolese player.
“Man leaving the Warriors and getting away from Steve Kerr was the best thing that ever happened to Jonathan Kuminga. NEVER seen bro smile this much,” wrote X account Hater Report.
“Jonathan Kuminga is making Steve Kerr look like a compete chump,” wrote MD.
“Instead of crying about Kuminga not fitting a “system” maybe it boils down to Steve Kerr can’t develop or coach young talent,” wrote X user Abeni.
Jonathan Kuminga Shines
Through three games with the Hawks, Kuminga has averaged 21.3 points, 7.7 rebounds 3.3 assists and 1.7 steals on 68/56/77 shooting splits with a net rating of 30.9. Granted, two of those wins came against the lottery-bound Washington Wizards, Kuminga has still proven to be a seamless fit in Quin Snyder’s fast-paced offense that ranks third in the league in transition points (29.1).
Kuminga, with his 7-foot wingspan, is the prototypical fit for a Hawks team stacked with tall, athletic wings such as Jalen Johnson, Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu and Zaccharie Risacher. After Sunday’s win, Johnson expressed excitement about Kuminga fitting in with him and the rest of the Hawks.
“It’s cool. It’s gonna be exciting,” Johnson said of the Kuminga fit.
“I feel like we’re gonna play off each other really well. He creates a lot of pressure [driving] downhill, and he’s able to pass out of it. So if both of us can continue do that, and continue to build that chemistry, we’ll be alright.”
Polymarket Hoops
Jonathan Kuminga with the Hawks:
21.3 PPG 7.7 RPG 3.3 APG 2.0 STL + BLK 67.7% FG 55.6% 3PT 3-0 W/L
NBA Memes
Jonathan Kuminga in 3 games for Atlanta (all WINS):
27 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL 17 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL 20 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL
Steve Kerr fumbled this one.
Hawks Excited About Kuminga
Snyder is impressed with Kuminga’s levelheadedness and team-first attitude.
“He is really focused on moving the ball and being unselfish,” Snyder said after last Thursday’s win over the Wizards. “I thought he made a couple passes tonight that were really impressive, just looking the guy off and seeing the court. As he plays more and more, he is going to be more and more instinctive, particularly in the open court.”
Second-year Hawks wing Risacher praised Kuminga’s character traits.
“It is great to be around him every day, and he is also somebody that I can learn from, so it is nice having him around and be able to talk to him.”
Johnson, Snyder and the rest of the Hawks aren’t the only ones beaming about Kuminga’s fit. A section of Hawks fans at State Farm Arena chanted “Thank you Warriors” during Kuminga’s exploits against the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Kuminga and the Hawks (31-31) will next face the Milwaukee Bucks (26-33) in an away contest on Wednesday. Surely, another strong night for Kuminga would do no favors for Steve Kerr, who DNP’ed the youngster for over a month earlier this season.