Golden State Warriors sweating on young star after warm up mishap

The Golden State Warriors will be sweating on the severity of an ankle injury for Jonathan Kuminga, with the exciting second-year forward having gone down during the team’s pregame warm up prior to their matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Kuminga was already battling an issue heading into the game, having been listed as probable for what eventually resulted in a 131-110 loss for the Warriors on Thursday.

Jonathan Kuminga’s ankle injury is the latest blow to a Golden State Warriors team already missing two of their best defenders.

The 20-year-old was dribbling to the rim at low intensity before going down in worrying fashion as he attempted to take off for a layup. An initial X-ray came back negative, though that doesn’t address the severity of ligament and muscle damage Kuminga could have suffered.

It’s incredibly bad timing for he and the Warriors for a host of reasons, not least of which is the fact he’d scored at least 19 points in three of his last four games, including 21 on 8-for-11 shooting against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

Golden State’s availability issues are now surrounding the wing position, leaving them incredibly depleted in the frontcourt. Andrew Wiggins has missed ten-straight games for personal reasons, while Anthony Lamb is back in the G League having played his allotted 50 games on a two-way contract.

The lack of forward depth is putting increased minutes on Andre Iguodala, a position the Warriors would never have hoped to be in particularly given the 39-year-old is only three games back from injury himself.

Gary Payton II is also yet to return after being dealt to the Warriors at last month’s trade deadline. Between he, Kuminga and Wiggins, the Warriors are now down three of their best four defenders. Head coach Steve Kerr tried to go all into offense by starting four guards against the Grizzlies, but that backfired disastrously as the hosts poured in 48 first-quarter points.

Further clarification on Kuminga’s injury is likely to come to light over the next 24 hours. At 34-33 and right back in danger of the play-in tournament, Warrior fans and the franchise will be desperately hoping it’s positive news.