The Golden State Warriors have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since the trade deadline.
Since the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, the Warriors are 9-1 with him in the lineup and have skyrocketed up the Western Conference Standings.
He's given the Warriors a physical presence out on the wing that Kyle Anderson and Andrew Wiggins weren't doing.
The already red-hot Warriors could be getting another boost back into their lineup.
Feb 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) drives past Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) during the third quarter at Chase Center. © John Hefti-Imagn Images © John Hefti-Imagn Images
Steve Kerr gives a crucial update regarding Jonathan Kuminga
Warriors fans are likely salivating at the thought of what this lineup could look like once forward Jonathan Kuminga returns.
Kuminga has been dealing with an ankle injury and hasn't played since early January against the Memphis Grizzlies.
The injury came at a time when it looked like Kuminga was finally putting some things together.
Anthony Slater spoke to Kerr, who provided an update on Kuminga.
"He has to feel right. He has to feel healthy," Kerr said. "He has to feel explosive. We can't rush that."
Jonathan Kuminga scrimmaged yesterday. He's at late stage of ankle recovery. There was some hope he'd come back on this road trip, but green light hasn't come yet.
Steve Kerr: "He has to feel right. He has to feel healthy. He has to feel explosive. We can't rush that."
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 6, 2025
In the six games leading up to his injury, Kuminga averaged 24.3 points per game, eight rebounds and 3.2 assists per game. He was also attacking the rim more, averaging 10 free-throw attempts per game during the same span.
That's one of the elements Butler has brought to the Warriors lineup without Kuminga.
Once the drama with the Miami Heat started, Butler wasn't doing that. In his last five games with the Heat, he got to the line just 2.8 free-throw attempts per game.
While it might feel like a log jam at the position in the short term, if Kuminga and Butler can cohabitate and play together, the Warriors could make some noise down the stretch.
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This story was originally published March 6, 2025 at 6:29 PM.