After an offseason where he was reportedly intent on leaving the franchise, the career of Jonathan Kuminga has taken another stunning turn with the young forward set to start for the Golden State Warriors on opening night against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Kuminga has been craving a bigger role across his four-year career to date, and that's set to be granted to open the season as the Warriors look to manage the minutes of veteran center Al Horford.
Jonathan Kuminga will reportedly start for the Warriors on opening night
The 23-year-old is expected to join Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green in the starting lineup, meaning a small-ball group is in store despite the absence of fifth-year wing Moses Moody who is out with a calf injury.
Kerr stated last Friday that the franchise would be looking to limit Horford's minutes to around 20 per game, making it difficult for the 39-year-old to both start and close games if he's going to be restricted to that number.
Kuminga will be the first beneficiary of Golden State's management of Horford, but there's also another very important reason as to why the former seventh overall pick will be part of Tuesday's starting lineup.
The plan to limit Al Horford to the 20-24 minute range has him coming off the bench to open his Warriors tenure. Steve Kerr believes it’s easier to parse out his court time that way. I’d expect him to close.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 21, 2025
Quick SportsCenter hit in advance of the opener in Los Angeles. pic.twitter.com/27ZSJHC6UT
Kuminga is likely to take a primary defensive role on Lakers superstar Luka Doncic, with the 6'7" forward holding the sort of size and athleticism to try and limit the MVP candidate who holds the keys to the hosts chances of claiming victory without the injured LeBron James.
Doncic has historically been excellent over the past few seasons against Golden State, including going for 45 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists on 16-of-23 shooting in a game last December when he was still a member of the Dallas Mavericks.
Kuminga's insertion to the starting lineup is remarkable based on everything both he and the franchise went through during the summer, having taken until training camp to sign a two-year, $48.5 million contract after showing mutual interest with the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.
It's also remarkable based on previous comments from Steve Kerr, with the head coach regularly stating the difficult fit between Kuminga, Butler and Green. Despite the Warriors going small, spacing concerns will still exist with the forward trio who are each questionable 3-point shooters.
With James on the sidelines, the Lakers are set to start Doncic, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton in what is a small starting lineup of their own.