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Jonathan Kuminga a welcome sight at Golden State Warriors practice ahead of historic game

By William Spencer

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 30: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots over Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Chase Center on December 30, 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 - DECEMBER 30: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots over Jonathan Kuminga #00 of the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Chase Center on December 30, 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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At Thursday night’s practice at the Alamodome, Golden State Warriors’ forward Jonathan Kuminga was balancing being back on a basketball court and absorbing the volumes of the Alamodome for Friday night’s contest with the San Antonio Spurs. Kuminga has already been ruled out for the matchup, though it shouldn’t take him much longer to be back in Steve Kerr’s rotation.

Jonathan Kuminga was a welcome sight at Golden State Warriors’ practice on Thursday ahead of a record-setting visit to the historic Alamodome, and a contest with the San Antonio Spurs.

The exciting 20-year-old returned to practice for the first time since sustaining a right foot sprain against the Portland Trail Blazers on December 30. Speaking ahead of Friday’s game against the Spurs, Kerr didn’t hesitate in stating the obvious ahead of Kuminga’s anticipated return.

"“I thought last game against Phoenix, we were not physical enough. Phoenix came in and took it to us. They were physical, and they were aggressive on the boards. We miss JK’s force and his versatility defensively. It’s going to be good to get that.”"

Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga hits a clutch shot over Gordon Hayward late last month. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga hits a clutch shot over Gordon Hayward late last month. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

The seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga has missed the Warriors’ last four games and was even seen wearing a moon boot last week. The Warriors finished their eight-game home stand on a three-game losing streak in his absence.

Before his untimely injury, the second-year player was having a greater impact on games than the numbers suggested. As part of the Warriors’ four-game winning streak prior to being sidelined, Kuminga averaged 9.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.0 steal while playing 21.7 minutes per game. He was also a +37 in plus-minus over that four-game stretch.

Everything was starting to slow down for Kuminga. The budding superstar is taking quality shots while using his astonishing athletic skill set to his advantage. He is setting rock-solid screens for shooters and cutting to the basket at opportune times which often result in highlight-reel dunks.

dark. Next. Steve Kerr grades first-half of Golden State Warriors’ season

There’s been little enjoyment in watching the defending champions struggle through the first half of the season, but Kuminga may prove the ultimate shining light if the 2022-23 season becomes a foggy memory of the forgotten past.

Grab a cold one from the frig and settle into your favorite chair, the special unique athletic skill set of this 20-year-old emerging star is about to set the Golden State Warriors on fire again.

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