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Jonathan Kuminga’s Growth on Display in Opener as Warriors Define His Role

Team leaders credit focused mentoring for the 23-year-old’s leap.

Overview

  • In a 119-109 win over the Lakers on opening night, Kuminga posted 17 points, nine rebounds and six assists, including 13 third‑quarter points and 4-of-6 shooting from three.
  • Steve Kerr said Kuminga has "really, really matured," with Jimmy Butler’s guidance during camp and post-practice work cited as a key driver of his progress.
  • Draymond Green praised a late offensive rebound that led to Stephen Curry’s clinching three, framing it as the type of play that matches Kuminga’s star-level potential.
  • Golden State plans to keep Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green around 34 minutes per game, heightening Kuminga’s value in handling nightly workload.
  • Following a late-September two-year, $48.5 million deal, league chatter still lists Kuminga as a trade candidate, though reporting suggests few realistic targets the Warriors would prefer.