Warriors starting lineup: It’s Jonathan Kuminga time
By Ian Levy
Jonathan Kuminga will likely be in the Warriors starting lineup for the next few games and that could be a very good thing.
It’s been an up-and-down season for Jonathan Kuminga but things are trending in the right direction. After missing eight games with a foot sprain, Kuminga has had three of his best games of the season against some of the Warriors’ toughest competition.
In wins over the Cavs and Grizzlies, sandwiching a loss to the Nets, Kuminga has averaged 14.3 points, 3.0 assists and 2.7 rebounds, shooting 18-of-30 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. He’s also played extremely tough defense over this stretch, spending most of his defensive possessions as the primary defender on Kyrie Irving, Ja Morant, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley.
Just before his return, Steve Kerr talked about what they were missing without Kuminga, “We miss JK’s force and his versatility defensively. It’s going to be good to get that.” And that’s exactly what he’s provided over the past three games.
Jonathan Kuminga should be back in the Warriors starting lineup
The Warriors take on the Raptors tonight, Jan. 27, and there’s every reason to think Kuminga will be back in the starting lineup. Andrew Wiggins is still listed as questionable with non-Covid illness and Kevon Looney has been coming off the bench for the past four games to get Jordan Poole, and more shooting, into the starting lineup.
A starting lineup of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and Draymond Green seems likely for this matchup with the Raptors. Kuminga played just five minutes in Golden State’s last game against Toronto but with Green likely taking Pascal Siakam, Kuminga is the best defensive option the Warriors have for Scottie Barnes.
Once Wiggins is healthy, Kuminga may find his way back to the bench. But this recent stretch and opportunity to get a few starts could be just what he needs to build confidence and help him be a meaningful contributor down the stretch and into the postseason.
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