Opposing defenses focus on Kuminga

SAN ANTONIO — As long as Stephen Curry’s sprained right ankle precludes him from playing for the Golden State Warriors, third-year forward Jonathan Kuminga is tasked with operating as more of a focal point offensively.

Meaning he’s also absorbing additional attention from opposing defenses determined to stop him.

Said head coach Steve Kerr, speaking Monday before the Warriors played the San Antonio Spurs: “All these reps, all these games are important for Jonathan at this stage of his career. He’s learning and growing all the time.”

Kuminga on Saturday scored 26 without Curry at Chase Center against the Spurs, who limited him to three field goals through the first quarters of Golden State’s 126-113 loss. Without the spacing Curry creates with the threat of his 3point shooting, Kuminga operated more often in a paint congested by additional defenders.

In the fourth quarter, though, he bludgeoned the basket with the force and decisiveness that have keyed his emergence, making seven fourth-quarter field goals via drives and cuts.

Added Kerr: “He attacked and was much more forceful around the basket — with and without the ball.”

Kuminga has established himself as Golden State’s No. 2 offensive option, averaging 20.2 points per game in 26 games since Jan. 12. Naturally, he becomes more of a focus when opposing defenses are unconcerned with Curry.

Defenders on Saturday could shade toward the paint, content with conceding 3-point shots so long as they could deftly recover to close out.

Kerr altered the starting lineup Monday — Chris Paul, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Kuminga and Draymond Green — to maximize spacing at the beginning of the game. Kuminga led the Warriors with 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting.

Kerr also made clear that the onus isn’t on Kuminga — or Thompson, who scored 27 on Saturday — to collectively replace Curry’s production.

“It definitely puts pressure on all of our guys without Steph, because so much of what we do revolves around him,” Kerr said. “We definitely need guys to step up and knock down shots. I don’t put it on Jonathan or Klay or any one person. I really look at it as a team effort.”