Jonathan Kuminga Shines in Hawks Debut
ATLANTA — Jonathan Kuminga, who previously played a backup role for the Golden State Warriors, finally had the opportunity to take center stage with the Atlanta Hawks.
And he really made a statement.
In his first game with Atlanta, he electrified the crowd with a powerful dunk, sank a 3-pointer, and grinned throughout the night, contributing to a 119-98 victory against the Washington Wizards.
Kuminga ended the game with 27 points, marking his personal season-best. This standout performance comes amidst a time when he had become less favored by Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
“It was amazing,” said Kuminga, who also recorded seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. “I was excited to be out there with the players.”
The Hawks acquired Kuminga, alongside guard Buddy Hield, during the trade deadline, parting ways with center Kristaps Porzingis in the deal.
Coming off the bench about halfway through the first quarter, he quickly made his presence felt, displaying a wide range of skills that included a fastbreak dunk and later a 3-pointer. His initial stint showcased his versatility, with four assists and a steal.
Kuminga played nearly 24 and a half minutes in a bigger role than anticipated, especially after Atlanta’s All-Star forward Jalen Johnson exited in the first quarter due to a hip flexor injury.
“He connected with his teammates and made the game his own,” praised coach Quin Snyder.
Prior to joining the Hawks, Kuminga had missed six games around the All-Star break while recovering from a knee injury he sustained with the Warriors.
Drafted seventh overall in 2021, his decline in playing time led him to request a trade after being left out of Golden State’s rotation.
The Warriors initially indicated limited interest from other teams. However, the Hawks stepped in and traded Porzingis, who had a tumultuous season marred by injuries.
Kerr chose not to dwell on Kuminga’s off-court issues despite him only participating in seven of Golden State’s last 38 games.
He started the season strong, averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, but his role diminished over time.
Kuminga stressed that his strong debut with the Hawks wasn’t a message to the Warriors, though his enthusiasm was evident.
“Everyone has an opinion,” he noted. “I don’t really care what other people say. We’re just trying to win as many games as possible here. That’s my main focus.”
