According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, there appear to be more questions than answers regarding the status of Golden State Warriors up-and-coming star Jonathan Kuminga.
Kuminga is dealing with an ankle injury that he suffered earlier this season, he’s missed almost 30 games because of it.
He was ruled out against Charlotte on Monday, and it’s unclear when he’ll be back.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Latest Injury Update
Slater elaborated on his report, saying the following:
“The team and Jonathan Kuminga decided the ankle wasn’t quite ready for Charlotte, so they didn’t green light him for this back-to-back. He has not been officially ruled out of tomorrow’s game in Brooklyn, so I guess it’s possible he returns tomorrow night,” he started.
“It’s possible they wait until the early part of the [next] home stand, but that’s really where it’s at. You will see him soon, but they just haven’t done the full green light, because that the ankle, to Kuminga and to Rick Celebrini and his staff, hasn’t felt quite fully ready,” Slater said.
"The team and Jonathan Kuminga decided the ankle wasn't quite ready for Charlotte, so they didn't green light him for this back-to-back. He has not been officially ruled out of tomorrow's game in Brooklyn, so I guess it's possible he returns tomorrow night.
"It's possible they… pic.twitter.com/VBh912jpE1— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 5, 2025
So, if he were to come back at the next home stand, that would be this weekend on Mar. 8 against Detroit. The next home stand stretches from Mar. 8 to Mar. 20, so, based on this report, it could be any time between now and then, it seems.
This comes after ESPN’s Shams Charania said Kuminga was “really close to a return,” as PFSN’s Zahid Rashid mentioned.
The Warriors are 34-28 and the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference.
Kuminga last played on Jan. 4. He had 13 points, two rebounds, and two assists. In the game before that, on Jan. 2, he had 20 points, five rebounds, five assists, and a steal.
Over 32 games this season, he’s averaging 16.8 points, five rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. He’s shooting 45.9% from the field but also shoots just 63.9% from the free throw line.
Warriors Head Coach Speaks Out
Earlier this month, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr spoke out regarding when Kuminga makes his return.
“The main thing I want for JK is to not press when he comes back,” Kerr told The Athletic.
“It’s not an easy spot to come back into where team’s rolling, contract stuff this summer. He’s going to have a lot on his mind. I want to make things as smooth and easy as possible. I want him to understand that it’s not going to happen right away. He was playing the best basketball of his career before the injury, and it’s not going to happen the first night where he’s going to get back to that level. It will take a little time.”
Now, it’s a waiting game to see when the Warriors will get back one of their better defensive players.
