Steph Curry dishes out 3-word praise for Jonathan Kuminga following career-high night
curry" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Steph Curry was rested for Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets as he deals with pain on both his knees. With Draymond Green sidelined as well with a calf injury, the Rockets were deemed favorites going into the game. However, Jonathan Kuminga had different plans.
The fourth-year forward had a career night as he guided Golden State to a 99-93 win that snapped the Warriors’ five-game losing streak. Kuminga had a career-high 33 points on 13-of-22 shooting in 33 minutes. He was particularly clutch in the dying moments as he drove to the basket to convert a layup with just 17 seconds left on the clock.
The shot gave Golden State a 98-93 lead and sealed the fate of the game. Steph Curry and Draymond Green were visibly impressed as they celebrated with Kuminga after the shot. Curry also reshared a video by the Golden State Warriors on X, formerly Twitter, and captioned it:
“Take over then.”
Jonathan Kuminga has been frequently linked to trade rumors after he failed to reach an agreement for an extension. There have also been reports that he is unhappy with his role in the team, as he has to come off of the bench on most occasions. He did start Thursday with Green out.
Performances like this prove why the Warriors rate him so highly and are reluctant to trade him. Kuminga currently averages 14.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 19 games this season. He is shooting a career low at 45.1%, though.
Steph Curry expected to return versus Minnesota Timberwolves
Steph Curry was rested on Thursday for the first leg of a back-to-back. When the Warriors take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, he is expected to return. Draymond Green is trending toward a return as well.
Curry, who was listed out because of injury management on Thursday, is having a quiet season by his standards. In 16 games so far, he is averaging just 22.6 points, 6.6 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals. His points per game is the lowest since the 2011-12 season when he averaged just 14.7 points.
The drop in his averages could be attributed to the beginning of the season where Golden State was blowing out teams and Curry had to sit out the final quarter. However, after the team’s recent slump, Steph Curry needs to get back to his usual production if the Warriors are to contend in the West.
They are currently fifth in the standings with a 13-8 record.