Following the Warriors’ atrocious loss to the Nuggets, fans were quick to note the absence of Jonathan Kuminga after the player was kept on the bench for the entirety of the fourth quarter.
The Nuggets took complete advantage of the mismatch the Warriors put forth them as Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic’s hail-mary attempt in the dying seconds of the game saw the Nuggets complete their 4th quarter comeback against Golden State.
Warriors’ Struggles Lead to Questions About Coaching Decisions
A win that was under the bag for the Warriors’ was snatched away by Denver late in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets capitalized heavily on the mistakes of the Warriors, who played at home in the Oracle Arena.
With 6:40 remaining in the last quarter of the game, the Warriors were comfortably leading their compatriots with an 18-point lead. However, from that point on, the game went south for GSW, and due to Kerr’s choices, all Jonathan Kuminga could do was watch his team slumber in disbelief.
The Nuggets, who were average on defense all game, suddenly amped up their defensive enthusiasm and locked the Warriors away from the basket. The team that was dominating easily till then, especially after a monster third quarter, suddenly began to crumble under pressure. However, not once did Kerr decide or look back at his bench to integrate Kuminga into the game.
In the last seven minutes of the game, the Warriors were outscored 25-4 by the Nuggets, and then Jokic shot the ball from 40 feet out. Pure insanity from the Denver Nuggets legend.
Questions arose as many fans were quick to criticize and interrogate the decisions made by Kerr as the Warriors lost a game that was meant to be their victory. While the decision seemed justified at the time, it lacked the vision or quick thinking that was needed as the Warriors needed to stop the sudden onslaught from the Nuggets, which was led by Denver star Aaron Gordon, who had 15 points in the fourth quarter alone. Apart from Gordon, who ended the night with 30 points, Jokic had 34 points which was highlighted by his unbelievable shot from deep that sealed the deal for the Nuggets.
Kuminga, who was having an incredible night, played the fewest minutes amongst the Warriors’ players who stepped under the bright lights. Kerr justified his decision to play the veteran Wiggins by saying that the insertion of Kuminga wasn’t warranted at the time considering Wiggins’ positive stretch for the Warriors.
Kerr said, “Wiggs was playing great and we were rolling, we’re up 18, 19 whatever it was. So we just stayed with [Wiggins]. Then at that point, it didn’t feel like it was the right thing to do.”
Wiggins maintained a strong performance until he began to struggle in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Many fans of the Dub-Nation are expressing their dissatisfaction with Kerr’s consistent reliance on the team’s veterans, particularly in important losses like this one.
Kuminga’s Impact: Young Player Benched Despite Strong Performance
Jonathan Kuminga was one of the most impactful players for the Warriors against the Nuggets. Making use of the limited opportunity given to him, the young phenom put up a very efficient 16 points while shooting 71.4% from the field.
“I’m very proud of myself,” Kuminga said. “I’ve come so far and I still have a lot of things to accomplish. This is just the beginning of the journey, where things are just changing. Hopefully it changes even more.
“Any time I get a chance to go on the court, starting or not, I try to go out there and make sure the next time they start me or they know that if they need anybody off the bench, if they need any player that could do something, I’m always there.”
While it made all the sense to play the star considering his dazzling night, it is not unknown to fans that Kerr has a liking for the more experienced veterans. In a decision that many questioned, Kuminga was completely benched in the fourth quarter despite a strong outing from the 21-year-old youngster.
It was a case of negligence from Kerr, who didn’t seem to trust the youngster in a desperate moment for the Warriors. However, it was nothing new for the player, as Kuminga said to the media that he’s used to this sort of environment.
Jonathan Kuminga who plays under the guidance of Stephen Curry said, “It’s tricky. Since I’ve been here, we don’t have just five guys that we know that they’re supposed to be on the floor whenever it’s closing time. It’s a little, I don’t know how to say it, it’s a little weird. I’ve been here for three years now, I’m used to it. I’m never surprised when I see a lineup change at the end of the game or even in the game.”
A player who deserves a solidified spot on the Warriors’ rotation, Jonathan has been phenomenal as a starter in the last 11 games for the Warriors. The Congolese player has been averaging 15.2 points a game in this stretch, and he has been scoring in double figures in the last 14 games.
In consideration of his mesmerizing caliber, it would’ve been certainly wise for Kerr to place Kuminga into the lineup in the final minutes of a game they should’ve won with ease.
What do you think of Kerr’s decision to leave out Jonathan Kuminga in crunch time? Are the Warriors making a mistake by not utilizing their young core more? Do let us know your thoughts and opinions regarding this situation in the comments below.
