Kuminga’s ‘gift’ comes alive from the Warriors’ bench vs. Pelicans

Kuminga’s ‘gift’ comes alive from the Warriors’ bench vs. Pelicans originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – Although the numbers suggest otherwise, Jonathan Kuminga didn’t see much of a difference between his breakout game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday and the Warriors’ three previous contests.

From Kuminga’s vantage point, the only difference was that the same shots he had taken and missed began to fall. Golden State’s big man combined with Lindy Waters III to lead a dominant night by the Warriors’ bench.

Kuminga scored a season-high 17 points to go with three assists and two steals and a blocked shot in the Warriors’ 124-106 win at the Chase Center.

“Because I scored more, that’s why it seems I had a flow,” Kuminga said. “I did the same thing as games 2, 3 … still attacking the rim and putting pressure (on opponents). Today things fell into place. It looks like I’m doing something else, but it shouldn’t be. My gift and my nature is to attack the rim as much as I can.”

Kuminga’s game has always centered around his aggressiveness to get to the rim with ferocity, something that has made him one of the best players in the NBA when it comes to attacking down the court.

Until Tuesday, though, those moments had been few and far between this season. Through Golden State’s first three games, Kuminga had taken a total of 24 shots while deferring to the other starters.

After receiving a text from the Warriors before the game informing him he would be coming off the bench against the pelicans, Kuminga didn’t make a fuss and instead channeled whatever frustrations he may have had into what was easily his best game of the young 2024-25 NBA season.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr didn’t seem too surprised. He said he made the decision to move Kuminga to the bench for distance reasons.

“I wanted a little more spacing and I knew it was going to be a JK game,” Kerr said. “I knew he would play a lot because he’s played well against (the Pelicans). The games are good for him.”

Kuminga almost laughed at Kerr’s last sentence.

“I usually play well against anybody,” he said.

That was not the case in the Warriors’ first three games, when Kuminga scored 10, two and 12 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.

Coming off the bench ended up being something of a blessing in disguise. He played 28 minutes, six more than he did in any of the first three games, and helped the Golden State bench to a 54-30 rout of the Pelicans.

“I thought JK was great,” Kerr said. “Obviously we’re going to need him. He’s our most athletic player. He’s got great size and there are games like tonight where we need him and other games where maybe things don’t go his way and that’s totally okay. Just because the first three games didn’t go his way, we have 78 more now.

“I am very confident that JK will make a huge impact for us.”

Kuminga didn’t seem bothered much, if at all, about having to come off the bench. He tried to maintain the same attitude and approach that he has taken in every match.

“We have ups and downs, not every game is your game,” he said. “Today was exactly the same, but it was one of my nights. I wouldn’t say it was my best night.”

Maybe not, but the Warriors will take nights like these from Kuminga every game if they can get it.

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