There may not be a hotter team in the NBA since the trade deadline than the Golden State Warriors.
Since the perennial power's addition of Jimmy Butler, who they acquired from the Miami Heat, the team has gone 10-2. The late surge has helped them build a 0.5-game advantage over the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 6 seed, which means if the playoffs were to end today, the Dubs would not have to partake in the Play-In Tournament.
With the Warriors riding a five-game winning streak into a rivalry game against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday, they received some positive news in the injury department. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the Dubs will be able to add Jonathan Kuminga to the lineup on Thursday for the first time since Jan. 4.
"Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga – out since Jan. 4 with a sprained ankle – plans to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Sacramento Kings, sources tell ESPN," Charania wrote. "Kuminga averaged 20.5 points in his last 14 games played, and now reintegrates to a surging team."
Before he missed the 31 games with an ankle injury, Kuminga seemed to be trending towards playing some of the best basketball of his career. In the month of December, he averaged 21 points on 46.4% shooting from the field and 35.4% shooting from deep.
If Kumina can return to his form that he found prior to the injury, the Warriors may have a legitimate shot at making a run for a title.
Kuminga is in his fourth season with the team after they selected him with the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
Related: Warriors Need Jonathan Kuminga in Best Form For Title Run, Analyst Suggests
Copyright 2025 Athlon Sports. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 6:23 PM.