On Tuesday night, the Golden State Warriors defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 124-106, in their first game of the season without star guard Steph Curry. Despite the convincing win, the night was marked by some ups and downs for forward Jonathan Kuminga, as reports surfaced just before tip-off that he had been benched by head coach Steve Kerr after starting the team’s first three games of the season.
The move appeared to be yet another controversial decision from Kerr involving a young rotation player, something that has happened more than once in recent seasons.
After the game, Kuminga addressed the situation, revealing that the decision to bench him wasn’t communicated in a face-to-face discussion. Instead, Kerr informed him via a text message. “It wasn’t my decision,” Kuminga told reporters, according to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. “I got a text, this is how it’s going to go, this is who it’s going to be, and I went with it. What am I supposed to do … ask why am I not starting? This is the decision of the coach, and we will follow what he’s going to do.”
Kuminga’s response demonstrated a mix of professionalism and frustration, as he made it clear that he was accepting the coach’s decision, even if it wasn’t something he agreed with. The benching came as a surprise to many, given Kuminga’s promising potential and the trust he had been building as a starter in the first few games of the season.
Head coach Steve Kerr explained his reasoning behind the decision in a post-game interview, stating that with both Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins unavailable, the starting lineup lacked shooting. Kerr decided it would make more sense to start Buddy Hield and Moses Moody, two players known for their shooting ability, to help space the floor.
“We were missing a lot of our shooting with Steph and Andrew both out,” Kerr said. “We needed to make sure the lineup had enough spacing, and Buddy and Moses are both shooting over 50% from three to start the year, while Jonathan’s at 16%.”
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Kerr’s logic was sound from a tactical perspective, as the Warriors needed to ensure they had enough offensive firepower with their key shooters out. Buddy Hield and Moses Moody have both been hot from beyond the arc early this season, making them more fitting choices for the starting lineup in this specific scenario.
Kuminga, meanwhile, has struggled with his three-point shot, and having him come off the bench allowed the Warriors to maximize their offensive efficiency from the start.
Despite the demotion from the starting lineup, Kuminga still saw significant minutes on the court. In fact, he played a season-high 28 minutes, contributing effectively on both ends of the floor. He finished the game with 17 points, two steals, and one block, showing that his energy and effort were not diminished by the change in his role.
Kuminga’s performance demonstrated his ability to stay focused and productive, even amid challenging circumstances.
However, the situation is worth monitoring, especially considering Kuminga is in the final year of his rookie contract before hitting restricted free agency.
How the Warriors handle his development and the decisions they make regarding his role could have a significant impact on his future with the team. Kuminga has shown flashes of his potential, and consistent playing time will be crucial for his continued growth.
The Warriors’ rotation decisions, particularly those involving younger players like Kuminga, will be under the microscope as the season progresses.
For now, Kuminga appears to be taking things in stride, focusing on contributing in any way he can. His maturity in handling the benching speaks to his commitment to the team, even if the method of communication—being informed via text message—raised some eyebrows.
The Warriors are looking to contend, and every rotation decision matters as they try to find the right balance to succeed without their superstar, Steph Curry, leading the way.
The Warriors will move forward with a focus on the bigger picture, and Kuminga’s role may continue to evolve as the season unfolds. His attitude and performance will be key in determining how much trust he can earn from Kerr and the coaching staff.
In the meantime, Golden State is hoping to keep the momentum going and continue their strong start to the season, with or without some of their stars in the lineup.
