Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga proving to be a man for the big moments

Jonathan Kuminga has had his ups-and-downs this season, but with increased opportunity and growing trust from head coach Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors’ forward is relishing the big games and the crucial moments.

The 20-year-old continued that against the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday, making some massive plays in the final few minutes to ensure the Warriors recorded a second-straight win back on their home floor.

Jonathan Kuminga continues to rise to the important occasions, showcasing his two-way game to help close the Golden State Warriors’ 17th win of the season.

Kuminga had played well up till the final minutes, so much so that he was trusted by Kerr to close the game in a unit alongside Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.

With the scores tied at 101, Kuminga began the best sequence of his career with a bully steal as he ripped the ball from P.J Washington. Kerr called it an Andre Iguodala-like play in the post-match, referencing the mentoring role Iguodala has had with the second-year forward.

He followed that with a rebound on the next defensive possession, before breaking the tie with a dunk on the other end. With both teams struggling for baskets in the final moments, Kuminga made something out of nothing with a floater over Gordon Hayward to beat the shot-clock buzzer and extend the Warriors’ lead to four. He then combined with Jordan Poole to stamp the game with another dunk, and it was only appropriate he chased down the final rebound and finished the game with the ball in his hands.

It’s not the first time Kuminga has performed well at the big moments in fourth-quarters. Earlier in the month he powered Golden State back from a double-digit deficit against the Utah Jazz, rattling the rim on multiple occasions before the Warriors choked the game in the final 13 seconds.

Over the last six weeks, Kuminga has had some of his most impressive games in high-profile nationally televised games — 14 points and ten rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks on November 29, 14 points, five rebounds and three assists against the Boston Celtics on December 10, 19 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on December 13, and seven points, four rebounds, three assists and a +21 plus-minus against the Memphis Grizzlies on Christmas Day.

For someone who was often seen as reckless and a project type when the Warriors took him with the seventh overall pick in last year’s draft, Kuminga has looked most poised when the stakes are at their highest. Kelenna Azubuike noted that “he looks like a veteran” on the broadcast, Klay Thompson called him a “future star” after the game, while Kerr labelled his performance “brilliant”.

Golden State are involved in the biggest games — they’re the reigning NBA champions who are seeking to win their fifth championship in nine seasons. To have a second-year player look so comfortable in these moments is full credit to Kuminga’s temperament, and the way in which the coaching staff are developing him.