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3 Golden State Warriors who can thrive in Stephen Curry’s absence

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Jordan Poole #3 after Wiseman scored against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 14, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Jordan Poole #3 after Wiseman scored against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 14, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuminga guard Ja Morant in the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuminga guard Ja Morant in the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Three Golden State Warriors who can thrive in Stephen Curry’s absence —  Jonathan Kuminga

If there’s been one major bright spot for the Warriors in the last fortnight, it’s the continual development of second-year forward Jonathan Kuminga. In a trio of recent lottery picks, it’s he who’s stood above the pack to earn consistent minutes in Kerr’s rotation.

Now he’ll get more opportunity to elevate his recent good form in Curry’s absence. Already with increased defensive responsibility without Wiggins in the last five games, Kerr may need to turn to Kuminga for increased offensive output.

The 20-year-old has done a nice job of blending into the Warriors system over the past few weeks, but there’s been recent signs that Kerr is placing greater trust in Kuminga and subsequently allowing him further exploration on the offensive end. Against the Utah Jazz last Wednesday, a game Curry missed through rest, Kuminga had a trio of powerful moves at the rim early in the fourth-quarter as he almost single-handedly erased a nine-point deficit and put the Warriors in a position where they ultimately should have won.

Perhaps, in a similar vein to Wiseman, Kerr goes a little away from the Golden State system and gives Kuminga a little more wiggle room to dive into his endless talent. Asking the youngsters to play in a ‘Warriors way’ wasn’t leading to wins with Curry alongside them, and it’s even more unlikely to work without him as a safety blanket.

In seven games during December so far, Kuminga has averaged 11.3 points on 57.4% shooting from the field and 38.5% from three-point range. His field-goal attempts per game will likely raise from 7.7 (in December) to closer to ten, and while his percentages may take a dip, anything above 50% would still be a great result.

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This isn’t to say he should be allowed to shoot double-digit three-pointers like he did in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans late last month, but Kuminga has the natural scoring talent that Golden State will need in Curry’s absence.

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