Jonathan Kuminga’s NBA journey has been a wild ride. He won a ring as a rookie, looked ready to take another leap, and then—boom—an ankle injury in January put everything on hold. But after weeks of rehab and behind-the-scenes work, it looks like he’s finally on the verge of making his return.
The Warriors are on the second night of their homestand against the Portland Trail Blazers, having kicked things off with a 115-110 win over the Pistons. Kuminga won’t be suiting up just yet, but there’s real optimism that he’ll be back at some point during this stretch.
According to gsw.network on Instagram, Coach Kerr is “hopeful that Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski could return later this week. The Warriors have two days off after tonight before facing the Kings on Thursday, the Knicks on Saturday, and back-to-back games against the Nuggets and Bucks next Monday and Tuesday.”
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Warriors Network: #1 Warriors Source (@gsw.network)
Golden State has been on fire lately, winning nine of its last 10 games and climbing up the standings. The addition of Jimmy Butler has given the team a new edge, and with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still running the show, the Warriors don’t exactly look desperate for reinforcements. But let’s be real—getting Kuminga back would be a huge boost.
That boost might be coming sooner rather than later. According to NBA Insider, Brett Siegel, the 22-year-old “will continue to work behind the scenes in practice and scrimmages before the medical staff evaluates his progress again on Tuesday and Wednesday, league sources told @ClutchPoints. The Warriors are hopeful he can be cleared to return during this homestand.“
Before the injury, he was averaging 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per game while shooting 45.9% from the field in just 26 minutes per night. His energy, athleticism, and defensive versatility have always made him an intriguing piece for Steve Kerr. But with the Warriors finding a groove without him, his return could come with some adjustments.
The team’s playing style has shifted a bit this season, leaning even more into floor spacing, three-point shooting, and high-tempo offense. Kuminga’s strength has always been attacking the rim, and while that’s still valuable, he might have to tweak his approach to fit back into the mix. Kerr could ease him back in rather than immediately throwing him into a heavy-minute role.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Where Does Kuminga Fit in This New-Look Warriors Squad?
The Warriors’ recent success has been fueled by a well-balanced attack. Butler’s two-way play, Curry’s elite shot-making, and Green’s leadership have allowed them to function like a well-oiled machine. They don’t need a drastic shake-up—but adding Kuminga back into the rotation in the right way could take them to another level.
So, what’s the plan? Does Kerr plug Kuminga back into the starting five, or does he bring him off the bench to keep the current chemistry intact? There’s also the question of workload—given that he’s coming off an injury, the team may be cautious with his minutes early on.
ADVERTISEMENT Article continues below this ad
Regardless of the specifics, one thing is clear: the Warriors are better when Jonathan Kuminga is available. His ability to guard multiple positions and attack the rim gives them an extra weapon on both ends of the floor. Even if his role isn’t set in stone right away, his return adds another layer to Golden State’s playoff push.
Now, it’s all about those upcoming evaluations. If his ankle checks out, Dub Nation won’t have to wait much longer to see the Congolese power forward back in action.