The Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga was a healthy scratch on Sunday, April 13, regular NBA game 124–119 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, a decision that puzzled fans as the team slipped into the Play-In Tournament. In a game widely viewed as a must-win for postseason seeding, head coach Steve Kerr opted to keep the 22-year-old on the bench for the entirety of the game.
Following the game, Kerr explained the reasoning behind Kuminga’s absence, emphasizing that recent rotations had been influenced by the team’s chemistry since acquiring Jimmy Butler in February.
“We’ve just found a group, since Jimmy got here, that we’re pretty comfortable with,” Kerr told reporters. “It doesn’t mean [Kuminga] is out of the loop going forward — this is just how this game played out.”
While Kuminga wasn’t formally ruled out pregame, Kerr said he had warned him of a potential shift in the first-quarter rotation. The coach also noted that similar decisions impacted Gui Santos, who was also benched.
Curry urges Kuminga to stay ready for the Play-In stage
Despite the DNP, star guard Stephen Curry publicly backed Kuminga, urging him to stay mentally prepared for his next opportunity.
“It wasn’t his time tonight, but against Memphis, it could be a game where he makes his presence felt,” Curry said.
Curry emphasized the unpredictable nature of the playoffs, drawing the same situation to Team USA experiences where players had to wait for their moment.
With the loss, Golden State will now face the Memphis Grizzlies in the Play-In Tournament. Kuminga, averaging 15.2 points this season, could be a valuable asset, especially against a Memphis team ranked second in the league in rebounding.
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