In one of the most pivotal games of the season, with a top-six seed on the line, a key member of the Golden State Warriors was missing against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Despite being healthy and available, fourth-year wing Jonathan Kuminga didn't receive a minute of playing time against the Clippers in Golden State's 124-119 overtime loss in the regular-season finale on Sunday.
Following Sunday's loss, Kerr was asked about Kuminga's DNP - coach's decision. Kerr said that the Warriors have found a group they're "comfortable" with since the arrival of Jimmy Butler. Kerr revealed that he didn't tell Kuminga he wouldn't play, just that he wouldn't be using his normal rotation in the first quarter.
We've just found a group since Jimmy got here that we're pretty comfortable with. Gui didn't play either. You know, Gui's been our highest plus-minus guy over the last two months. Both he and JK have been really impactful players for us. It doesn't mean they're out of the loop going forward; it's just this is just how this game played out.
Steve Kerr on why Jonathan Kuminga didn't play today:
— KNBR (@KNBR) April 13, 2025
"We've just found a group since Jimmy got here that we're pretty comfortable with... both [Gui Santos] and JK have been really impactful players for us. It doesn't mean they're out of the loop going forward, this is just how… pic.twitter.com/rl7ay3yfag
Kuminga played 16 or more minutes off the bench in his last six games. Kuminga missed a long stretch of games after suffering an ankle injury in early January. The G League Ignite product returned to the lineup in mid-March.
Since returning from injury, Kuminga has played 15 games and is averaging 12.2 points on 44.1% shooting from the field with 3.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 20.8 minutes per game.
Prior to his injury and the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, Kuminga was a key cog in Golden State's offense, averaging a career-best 16.8 points per game over 32 contests with 10 starts. In late December, Kuminga recorded a career-high 34 points in back-to-back games. One of Kuminga's 34-point outbursts came against Sunday's opponent, the Clippers.
After the game came to an end on Sunday and fans filed out of Chase Center, Kuminga stayed on the court and got shots on the court.
Jonathan Kuminga getting up shots well after the game ends. pic.twitter.com/MwUyYmlfPT
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dieter) April 13, 2025
With a loss on Sunday, the Warriors will now prepare to host the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening game of the play-in tournament on Tuesday at Chase Center.
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