Steve Kerr explains why Kuminga didn’t play for Warriors vs. Clippers
SAN FRANCISCO – If the Warriors truly viewed Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Clippers as a playoff game, then the 124-119 overtime loss to the Clippers could have been a glimpse into forward Jonathan Kuminga’s playoff future.
The fourth-year player was healthy but did not play a single second in a game that saw veteran forwards Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler log heavy minutes.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that he informed the 22-year-old of the plan before the game.
“I told him in the walkthrough that we were going to change things,” Kerr said. “I didn’t tell him he wasn’t going to play because I wasn’t sure if he was going to play or not, but I told him that we were not going to go to the usual rotation in the first quarter. ”
Kerr attributed that fact to Butler playing at a high level, and the fact that lineups with both Butler and Kuminga have tended to struggle since the Warriors traded for Butler in February.
“It doesn’t mean they’re out of the loop going forward, it’s just how this game played out,” Kerr said of Kuminga and Gui Santos, who also did not play.
Star Steph Curry echoed his coach and gave his younger teammate some advice.
“Just to be ready,” Curry said of his message to Kuminga. “It’s just the test of a young player in this league, and especially on our team. You never know when your moment will be there, and it could be the brightest or highest of moments.”
Curry noted that during his time with Team USA at the Olympics this past summer, several players did not play in key games, but that they handled it well and remained ready.
To Kuminga’s credit, he did not sulk after sitting on the bench for the entirety of a game that saw Golden State doomed to participate in the play-in tournament.
Long after the fans had left, Kuminga was seen going through shooting drills with coaches on the empty Chase Center court.
Kuminga, who is averaging 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game, has had an up-and-down fourth season.
He has played in just 47 games, missing 31 with a severe right ankle injury that held him out from Jan. 5 to March 15.
Before the injury, Kuminga was averaging 16.8 points and playing 26 minutes per game.
After the blockbuster, Kuminga’s playing time fell to 20.8 minutes and just 12.2 points per game, as he became part of a crowded reserve wing rotation that includes Gui Santos and Gary Payton III.
He has had his moments, like when Kuminga closed out a victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles last week. He has also seen his minutes decline over the past few games.
But like both Kerr and Curry said, Kuminga may have a chance to shine soon.
The Warriors, who were outrebounded by 17 against the Clippers, will take on a Memphis team that entered Sunday ranked No. 2 in the league in rebounds per game (47.2).
The 6-foot-9 Kuminga, with elite athleticism and an imposing 6-foot-9 frame, could be called upon to make an impact in their play-in game.
“It wasn’t his time tonight, and you know, against Memphis, it could be a game where he makes his presence felt,” Curry said.