Steve Kerr Breaks Silence on Controversial Jonathan Kuminga Decision

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr moved Jonathan Kuminga to the bench.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr looks on against the Los Angeles Lakers in the third quarter during a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena. | Candice Ward-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors picked up their third win of the NBA season on Wednesday night when they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans. This was Golden State’s most impressive win of the season, as it came without Steph Curry, Andrew Wiggins, and De’Anthony Melton.

The injury absences of Curry and Wiggins required head coach Steve Kerr to find two new starters, but he changed his lineup even more than many expected, removing Jonathan Kuminga from the first five. Starting Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, Draymond Green, and Trayce Jackson-Davis, Kerr moved Kuminga to the bench.

This move was surprising to many, because while Kuminga had struggled to begin the season, he is theoretically Golden State’s best scoring option in a game where both Curry and Wiggins are out.

JONATHAN KUMINGA SHOWTIME ‼️ pic.twitter.com/F6lnBRcpLY

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 30, 2024

Speaking with reporters after the game, Kerr revealed his reason for benching Kuminga.

“Without Steph and [Wiggins], I didn’t wanna start Trayce, Draymond, and [Kuminga],” Kerr said. “I wanted a little more spacing. I knew it would be a JK game. I knew he would play a lot. He’s played well against this team. The matchups are good for him. I told him before the game, ‘You’re going to play a lot. This is just about combinations and getting more spacing.’”

Steve Kerr on Jonathan Kuminga’s move to the bench: “I told him before the game: ‘You’re going to play a lot. This is just about combinations and getting more spacing.’” pic.twitter.com/lU62e99xW4

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 30, 2024

It will be interesting to see if Kerr sticks with Kuminga off the bench as long as Curry is out. As the Warriors head coach stated, spacing is a real issue with Jackson-Davis, Green, and Kuminga without Curry to alleviate the lack of shooting.

Related Articles

Draymond Green's Reaction to Steph Curry's Incredible Shot in USA-France Goes Viral

Boston Celtics Legend Slams Steve Kerr for Controversial Jayson Tatum Decision

Caitlin Clark's Two-Word Reaction to Steph Curry's Performance in USA-France