Jonathan Kuminga looked to be as good as gone.
The 22-year old Golden State Warriors forward sat out four of the first eight games of this postseason run for the Dubs. He had gone from being a top draft pick just a few years ago to a guy that couldn’t even get into the small seconds at any point in a game.
The Stephen Curry hamstring injury changed everything for Kuminga, though. Golden State had no choice but to try and let Kuminga cook.
His performance wasn’t quite enough from a team perspective Saturday in a Game 3 loss, but Kuminga has opened lots of eyes.
Kuminga began his postseason (play-in plus playoffs) with 25 total points on 9-for-28 in four appearances that were partnered with four DNPs.
But then he entered Game 2 and made his first eight shot attempts.
He provided even more offensive firepower in Game 3, including a slicing and spinning and-1 that drew all the praise on social media.
Those who still believed in Kuminga through all the controversy felt validated.
This is a guy with supreme athleticism, solid basketball instincts and a heck of a lot of skill.
Kuminga may not be the perfect 3-point shooter, which is why he lost his rotation role in the first place. Steve Kerr didn’t like playing Kuminga with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler for spacing reasons.
Kerr didn’t have much choice once Curry went down. Golden State’s offense had become too impotent to still keep Kuminga on the bench, spacing be darned.
Kuminga finished with 18 points in Game 2.
In the third game Saturday night in Golden State, Kuminga had 30 points off the bench on 11-for-18 shooting. He added six rebounds and three assists, but the Warriors fell behind 2-1 in the series.
Even if the Warriors can’t advance without Curry, they’ve gotten another look at what Kuminga could be for their side.
Maybe he still moves on after his contract expires at the end of the year.
But what before looked like an open-and-shut case is officially open. Kuminga might be able to stick with the Warriors going forward.
He’s still a supremely talented basketball player with oodles of potential.
It was easy to forget that part when he was sitting on the bench.
But now back on the court in the bright lights of the NBA Playoffs, Kuminga looks like the real deal. That’s because, all along, that’s exactly what he was.
And now a much tougher decision looms for the Warriors, because Kuminga will no longer be easy to get rid of.
