After falling out of the rotation for 16 games with DNPs, Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors turned back to Jonathan Kuminga after Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending injury.
With Butler sidelined, Kuminga provided the Warriors with an instant spark, scoring 20 points in his first action off the bench against the Toronto Raptors. Kuminga followed his impressive performance with 10 points on 3-of-3 shooting in 10 minutes off the bench against the Dallas Mavericks. However, his night in Dallas ended early after he was forced to leave the game with an injury. After being ruled out for the remainder of Golden State’s 123-115 loss in Dallas, Kuminga will now miss the second game of the Warriors’ road trip on Sunday in Minnesota.
Prior to the game on Sunday against the Timberwolves, the Warriors shared an update regarding Kuminga’s injury. According to the Warriors, Kuminga’s MRI confirmed he has suffered a bone bruise due to a hyperextension injury in his left knee. The timeline for Kuminga’s return has yet to be determined. According to the Warriors, Kuminga’s re-evaluation date will be determined in “the coming days.”
With both Butler and Kuminga sidelined, Steve Kerr will have to get creative with his rotation going forward. The Warriors cold lean on Gui Santos, Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II and Al Horford at the forward position.
Kuminga’s name has been at the center of several trade rumors leading up to the 2026 NBA trade deadline. The Warriors will have until Feb. 5 to decide what to do with Kuminga at the trade deadline.
In 20 games this season, Kuminga is averaging 12.1 points on 45.4% shooting from the field with 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per contest.
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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Injury Report: Jonathan Kuminga suffers bone bruise in left knee
Reporting by Tommy Call III, Warriors Wire / Warriors Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
