SAN FRANCISCO—For the 32nd time in a row, Jonathan Kuminga scored in double figures in another game for the Warriors.
Dub Nation, who has watched Kuminga dominate every game Golden State has played since December 2, 2023, has become accustomed to seeing it this way.
Despite the fact that the Warriors were defeated 130-125 at Chase Center on Wednesday by the Los Angeles Clippers, Kuminga persisted in arguing that he is the most improved player on the team—possibly even in the NBA.
Kuminga not only finished the game with respectable stats (13 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists), but he also participated in one of the most exciting moments of the fourth quarter. Rookie for Golden State Brandin Podziemski was driving for a layup when 6-foot-11 center Mason Plumlee of the Clippers harshly fouled him.
Plumee was shoved by Kuminga, who was positioned in the court’s right corner. In addition to receiving a technical foul, Kuminga won the respect of most of the spectators.
It was only Kuminga’s way of looking out for Podziemski. In addition, Kuminga intervened because he didn’t want Draymond Green—the Warriors’ veteran enforcer on the court who has already received two NBA suspensions this season—to become involved or have to handle any fallout from it.
“I definitely did it for my teammate.” You can’t just ignore things,” Kuminga remarked. It would be “Oh my God” if Draymond did it, therefore I wouldn’t want him to do it. I had to stand behind my fellow player. Since we’re all in this together, why not fight for one another while we’re at it?
Over the last six weeks, Kuminga has demonstrated a great deal of guts.
Due to his inconsistent play on both ends, Kuminga was in and out of the Warriors lineup throughout his first two seasons in the league and the first five weeks of the 2023–24 NBA season. Nevertheless, he has emerged as Golden State’s top scoring threat outside of Stephen Curry.
Kuminga has scored twenty points or more eleven times in this run of double-figure games, including a career-high thirty-one against the Sacramento Kings on January 25.
Curry remarked, “That’s just another step toward being that guy who gives [opposing] coaching staffs a little fear.” “He’s done a fantastic job of finding his spots, maintaining his aggressiveness while remaining patient, and keeping up his confidence.”
Although Kuminga has always been confident, this season’s usage of him by Warriors coach Steve Kerr confused him a little.
Following a discussion between the two, Green served as a catalyst for Kuminga’s further development upon his return from his second ban.
Kuminga proved to the Clippers that he is more than just a player who can move quickly and attack the hoop with the same intensity as a lion pursuing its prey. By drawing the fifth and sixth fouls against the top player for the Clippers, Paul George was forced to leave the game in the fourth quarter. George was putting the Warriors defense through its paces with 24 points until he fouled out.
All of it culminated in Kuminga writing a new chapter in his career during a season where he is at last living up to the hype surrounding him as the seventh overall choice in the 2021 NBA Draft.
“Winning is what I want.” When asked what motivated him to turn things around this season, Kuminga responded, “I’ve been a winner.” “I want to demonstrate to everyone that I am a winner.”
Unquestionably, Kuminga is playing his best basketball of his career. He is a powerful and dominant scorer who obliterates opponents with drives to the basket. His defense has also improved, and opponents have to be wary of him.
Yet that isn’t likely to stop the critics, who continue to lash out about Kuminga on social media.
Kuminga doesn’t expect it to stop any time soon. Not that he cares much about the chatter and noise.
“People are never going to stop criticizing,” Kuminga said. “At the end of the day they’re human beings, and they’re never going to stop criticizing people. I don’t even care what people say.”