The Golden State Warriors have run into some trouble after a somewhat promising 9-6 start to the new NBA season. They have lost three games in a row since, and they’re also banged up right now.
Center Al Horford, who has struggled so far this season, is going to be out for at least one week due to a hamstring strain. Forward Jonathan Kuminga, a key piece on their roster, has missed five games in a row because of a case of bilateral patellar tendinitis.
Head coach Steve Kerr was asked about Kuminga’s status as his team prepares to host the Utah Jazz on Monday, and he didn’t have much of an update, or at least an optimistic one.
“Honestly, I just talked to the training staff,” Kerr said. “They tell me it’s day to day. So, talking to JK, and he said he’s not moving that well, so I can’t tell you what the outlook is. JK can tell you that better than I could, so he needs to feel better and be able to move better before we can put him out there. Maybe we’ll get imaging done on the knee, but yeah, we got to figure it out.”
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Given the high amount of mileage that key players such as Horford, Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green have, the 23-year-old Kuminga is vital to Golden State’s success. He’s averaging 13.8 points while shooting 47.8% from the field in 27.7 minutes a game to start the year, and his athleticism and quickness are sorely needed.
Kuminga looked to be gone over the summer when he and the organization reached a stalemate in contract negotiations after he became a restricted free agent. Eventually, the former 2021 lottery pick agreed to a two-year, $48.5 million deal, but his name continues to come up in trade rumors and proposals.
The Warriors, who have long been known as an offensive juggernaut throughout the Curry/Kerr era, are just 21st in points per game, 23rd in offensive rating and 24th in fast-break points per game. They have historically been among the NBA’s leaders in those three categories, and if they are in improve in those areas, they will need a healthy and productive Kuminga.
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