Preseason: Warriors defeat Lakers with an impressive Kuminga
Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga dunks on Lakers Anthony Davis during Golden State’s preseason victory on Friday. October 13, 2023. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
2023.10.13 – The Golden State Warriors are showing plenty of reasons to be excited with the regular season drawing near, the team defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 129-125 on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Forward Jonathan Kuminga has been acting differently on the court this preseason. And while early October performances should be considered with caution, the third-year forward is giving the Warriors plenty of reasons to be excited.
After scoring a game-high 24 points with eight rebounds in the Warriors’ preseason opener at Chase Center, Kuminga finished with 26 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in Los Angeles.
Kuminga, 21, is shooting 65.4% from the field and 53.8% from 3-point range through his first two preseason appearances. He is averaging 25 points per game, which leads the NBA.
He and rookies Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis provided all the highlights in a superstar-studded preseason game against the LeBron James-led Lakers.
“He’s just more at peace with himself, embracing the coaching more,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “This is, I think, natural in your third year, to be more comfortable with your surroundings and expectations. He’s just doing a great job of staying poised through his mistakes and he’s really been aggressive.”
Podziemski’s seven assist average leads the NBA in preseason. Podziemski is making his case for minutes and a spot in the rotation as a decisive passer. He had his first double-double with 10 points and 10 assists and zero turnovers to go along with six rebounds in Friday’s win. The Warriors drafted Podziemski unsure of what role he’d play, but his breakout as a passer came as somewhat of a surprise given his reputation as a 3-point shooting, rebounding college player out of Santa Clara.
“Brandin is just a basketball player,” Kerr said.
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (NBA Video highlights)
Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga passes as four Lakers players converge on him during Golden State’s preseason victory on Friday. October 13, 2023. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (NBA Video highlights)
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (NBA Video highlights)
“I’m definitely confident,” Kuminga said. “I remember last year against the Lakers they used to back up and let me shoot.
“I think coming into the league you have to be patient because things can switch up fast. A lot of things can happen. … It’s just a matter of time and I’m growing every single day.”
Kuminga entered the night listed as questionable after jamming his thumb on the backboard in a scrimmage on Monday. His left hand was wrapped in protective bandages throughout the week and the Warriors limited him to light on-court activities. His availability for Friday’s game was not confirmed until about 30 minutes before tipoff.
The thumb was ultimately a non-issue for Kuminga, just as Kerr predicted earlier in the week.
A mentality shift has been most important for Kuminga in his third NBA year. The veteran-laden, smaller Warriors need Kuminga’s length and athleticism behind Andrew Wiggins to compete with the NBA’s quicker and younger athletes.
They can get an edge over bigger teams, such as the Lakers, if Kuminga can become a rotation mainstay. And if he’s a legitimate threat from 3, lineups with him can more easily space the floor if he’s playing alongside Draymond Green or Kevon Looney. So it’s a good sign that he’s starting to see the passive 3-point defense as a challenge instead of a burden.
Kuminga really started to get it going late in the second quarter after blowing past LeBron James on the right wing and throwing down a vicious two-handed slam with Anthony Davis in the vicinity.
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (JJ Redick – Andre Iguodala)
Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski grabs a rebound as a Lakers player converge on him during Golden State’s preseason victory on Friday. October 13, 2023. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (JJ Redick – Andre Iguodala)
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (JJ Redick – Andre Iguodala)
Kuminga went 4-for-4 from the field in the first half and continued to apply pressure after checking back in with 5:23 left in the third quarter, quickly converting a 3-point play off an offensive tip, then knocking down a 3-pointer from the left wing about a minute later. He was just as impressive on defense, playing physical on the perimeter and fighting through screens.
“We need his pop, his athleticism, and he’s having a great camp,” Kerr said. “He was relatively inexperienced coming into the NBA and there’s a lot to soak in. I think his first two years were frustrating at times for him, but he has taken that experience and applied it to what he’s doing now and getting better.”
The strides Kuminga continues to make are clear. His willingness to shoot the 3-pointer has increased over the offseason, and he has become a greater offensive threat because of it. There is less hesitancy in his decision making. His movements with and without the ball are more intentional.
Kuminga did have three turnovers against the Lakers and less production compared to the preseason opener, but those are really the lone critiques. And with 10.7 seconds left in regulation, he made two free throws to give the Warriors a 128-125 advantage.
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (Kruger & Crew)
FULL RECAP Of The Warriors News, Draft Picks, & Trades…
Lakers’ LeBron James takes a layup on Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during Golden State’s preseason victory on Friday. October 13, 2023. Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (Kruger & Crew)
2023.10.13 – Warriors @ Lakers (Kruger & Crew)
“I’m just trying to learn as much as I can, be a sponge and listen to the vets,” Kuminga said. “I feel like that kind of helped me become better-situated and more comfortable on the floor, and just playing every day. Like coach always says, for young guys, it’s more about how many reps you get.”
UP NEXT
Warriors: Will start the new NBA season facing the Phoenix Suns on October 24, 2023.
Lakers: Will start the new season at COBall Arena in Denver facing the Nuggets.
Related – See : Warriors avoid elimination beat Lakers in WCS5
Related – See below: 2022 Warriors NBA Finals video highlights
Read more at: Golden State Warriors Media Services / More AP NBA
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
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2022 Warriors NBA Finals video highlights