Hawks Jonathan Kuminga Out On Friday, But Expected To Play Against Warriors

While continued knee issues will keep Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga out for the team’s matchup on Friday against the Houston Rockets, Dalton Johnson of NBCSBA reports that the former first-round pick is still expected to play against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Kuminga, of course, was a member of the Warriors for his entire career prior to the trade that sent him to Atlanta at this year’s trade deadline for center Kristaps Porzingis.

Kuminga has dealt with multiple lower body injuries this season, particularly in his knee. The 23-year old forward has only appeared in six games with the Hawks since the deal, averaging 14.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steal in 22.7 minutes per game on scorching hot 56.6%/58.3%/71.0% shooting. Despite Porzingis’ continued battle with illnesses tied to POTS, he has appeared in as many games with the Dubs since the trade. Porzingis is averaging 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 blocks, and 1.0 steal in 21.8 minutes per game on 43.2%/29.0%/78.8%.

Kuminga’s time with the Warriors got off to an exciting start. As a rookie, Kuminga was a solid member of the Dubs rotation, including some highlight-filled postseason performances in Golden State’s path to the 2021-22 championship. However, as Dub Nation is well aware, the Warriors were never able to marry Kuminga’s development with the team’s short-term goals to build a contender around Steph Curry.

Regardless of who you blame for Kuminga’s disappointing tenure with the Dubs, his camp has made clear that they believe head coach Steve Kerr and other higher ups in the organization failed to take advantage of a budding superstar. It seems that he will have an opportunity to try and pay the Warriors back with some revenge on Saturday.