Jonathan Kuminga shines in Warriors loss to Raptors

The Warriors‘ loss was hardly surprising given all the regular starters, outside Kevon Looney, were rested or out due to Covid-19 protocols in the case of Jordan Poole.

With veterans Andre Iguodala and Otto Porter Jr. also resting, Steve Kerr was left with just nine available players, which included two-way contracted players in Chris Chiozza and Jeff Dowtin Jr.

The Golden State Warriors have suffered their sixth loss of the season, falling 119-100 to the Toronto Raptors in Canada on Saturday.

It meant that the starting lineup included Chiozza, Damion Lee, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Looney, and a first career start for the exciting rookie Jonathan Kuminga.

Ultimately, once news of the restings was reported, this game was viewed by many as a major look into the potential of the seventh overall pick and his fellow rookie in Moses Moody.

Any potential of a surprise Warriors win was practically squashed after the opening period. The Raptors, without Pascal Siakam but armed with usual starters Fred Van Vleet, Gary Trent Jr., OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes, jumped out to a 31-18 lead after the first quarter.

Without leading scorers, Stephen Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and Poole, the Dubs, understandably, failed to match the more experienced offensive threat of Toronto. With Draymond Green also absent, Golden State didn’t have the defensive capacity to remain close.

After trailing by 21 at the half, the Warriors prevented any major embarrassment by remaining competitive in the second half, unlike a matchup last season where Toronto won by 53.

The margin had extended to 29 late in the game before the Dubs finished on a 12-2 run to add some respectability. The game of Kuminga meant the result and scoreline was more so an afterthought for Warriors fans though.

Sure, there were some issues like six turnovers and just two rebounds, but on the most part, you couldn’t have asked for any more in the 19-year-old’s 36 minutes.

He finished with a career-high and team-high 26 points, shooting 9-15 from the floor including 4-6 from three-point range. Not only did he have a series of dunks that emphasized the rare athleticism and power, but he also displayed an improved-looking shot that demonstrates an even greater upside.

It was one of those games that, at least on its lonesome, meant little from a team point of view, such as the list of Warrior players unavailable for the game. However, it does have the potential to be the birth of a potential future star in Kuminga.

The loss means the Warriors end their five-game road trip with a 3-2 record, now heading home ahead of a clash with Sacramento on Monday.