Kuminga delivers in win vs. Lakers
LOS ANGELES — Jonathan Kuminga has been acting differently on the court this preseason. And while early October performances should be considered with caution, the third-year forward is giving the Golden State Warriors plenty of reasons to be excited with the regular season drawing near.
After scoring a game-high 24 points with eight rebounds in the Warriors’ preseason opener at Chase Center, Kuminga finished with 26 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in the team’s 129-125 defeat of the Lakers on Friday night.
“He’s just more at peace with himself, embracing the coaching more,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “This is, I think, natural in your third year, to be more comfortable with your surroundings and expectations. He’s just doing a great job of staying poised through his mistakes and he’s really been aggressive.”
Kuminga, 21, is shooting 65.4% from the field and 53.8% from 3point range through his first two preseason appearances. He is averaging 25 points per game, which leads the NBA.
“I’m definitely confident,” Kuminga said. “I remember last year against the Lakers they used to back up and let me shoot.
“I think coming into the league you have to be patient because things can switch up fast. A lot of things can happen. … It’s just a matter of time and I’m growing every single day.”
Kuminga entered the night listed as questionable after jamming his thumb on the backboard in a scrimmage on Monday. His left hand was wrapped in protective bandages throughout the week and the Warriors limited him to light on-court activities.
His availability for Friday’s game was not confirmed until
about 30 minutes before tipoff.
The thumb was ultimately a non-issue for Kuminga, just as Kerr predicted earlier in the week.
Kuminga really started to get it going late in the second quarter after blowing past LeBron James on the right wing and throwing down a vicious two-handed slam with Anthony Davis in the vicinity.
Kuminga went 4-for-4 from the field in the first half and continued to apply pressure after checking back in with 5:23 left in the third quarter, quickly converting a 3-point play off an offensive tip, then knocking down a 3-pointer from the left wing about a minute later. He was just as impressive on defense, playing physical on the perimeter and fighting through screens.
“We need his pop, his athleticism, and he’s having a great camp,” Kerr said. “He was relatively inexperienced coming into the NBA and there’s a lot to soak in. I think his first two years were frustrating at times for him, but he has taken that experience and applied it to what he’s doing now and getting better.”
The strides Kuminga continues to make are clear. His willingness to shoot the 3-pointer has increased over the offseason, and he has become a greater offensive threat because of it. There is less hesitancy in his decision making. His movements with and without the ball are more intentional.
Kuminga did have three turnovers against the Lakers and less production compared to the preseason opener, but those are really the lone critiques. And with 10.7 seconds left in regulation, he made two free throws to give the Warriors a 128-125 advantage.
“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can, be a sponge and listen to the vets,” Kuminga said. “I feel like that kind of helped me become better-situated and more comfortable on the floor, and just playing every day. Like coach always says, for young guys, it’s more about how many reps you get.”