The Golden State Warriors are off to a 3-1 start, and fifth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga isn’t just along for the ride—he’s driving the bus. On Tuesday, ahead of a showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers, head coach Steve Kerr dropped a definitive statement that ends months of speculation: Jonathan Kuminga is the Warriors’ starting small forward—for good.
“Yes, he’ll start tonight, and he will be our starter going forward,” Kerr said. “He’s been fantastic. Last night, we put him on Ja [Morant]. Tonight, we’ll put him on James Harden. I think he’s ready.”
At just 23 years old, the 6-foot-8 athletic freak from the Democratic Republic of Congo has turned heads with a stat line that screams breakout: 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 threes per game on an ultra-efficient 58.1% from the field in 31.3 minutes. He’s started all four games, and now, that’s not changing anytime soon.
This isn’t just about numbers. Kuminga has become Kerr’s Swiss Army knife on defense. Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, he drew the Ja Morant assignment—and suffocated him. The explosive guard finished with 23 points but shot a brutal 8-of-23 from the floor and 0-of-6 from three. That kind of impact doesn’t go unnoticed.
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Now, the challenges only get tougher. After Harden and the Clippers on Tuesday, the Warriors hit the road to face Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday at Fiserv Forum. If Kuminga keeps locking down All-NBA talent like this, Golden State’s ceiling just got a lot higher.
It’s a stark contrast from the summer, when Kuminga’s contract extension talks dragged into late September. Whispers of frustration, trade rumors, and uncertainty swirled around the young forward. But on September 30, the Warriors and Kuminga agreed to a two-year, $46.5 million extension—a bet on his upside that’s already paying dividends.
With Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and the Warriors’ veteran core in his corner, Kuminga has tuned out the noise and locked in. He’s not just justifying the deal—he’s making it look like a bargain.
Kerr’s announcement isn’t just a lineup decision. It’s a declaration: Jonathan Kuminga has arrived. And the rest of the league is on notice.