The Golden State Warriors brushed aside the New York Knicks 126-113 on Thursday night in San Francisco, extending their strong January run while unresolved trade talks around forward Jonathan Kuminga continue to hover over the team.
Golden State has now won 10 of its past 14 contests after opening the season 13-15 and sits 4-1 on its current homestand. Thursday’s victory came after the hosts erased an early double-digit deficit behind 32 points from Jimmy Butler and 27 from Stephen Curry.
Kuminga, 23, was again inactive. League sources told ESPN the fifth-year forward formally requested a trade earlier in the day, the exact date he became eligible to be moved. The Warriors have gauged his market for weeks, targeting expiring contracts in potential deals, according to team sources. The Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks are among the clubs expressing interest, but no agreement is believed to be close.
Veteran forward Draymond Green dismissed concerns that the situation could derail the locker room. “He is not a distraction,” Green said, gesturing toward Kuminga’s stall. Kuminga has missed 14 straight games, working out individually and sitting at the end of the bench during games, yet has remained upbeat when spotted around the facility.
Curry echoed that sentiment. “Our job is to keep playing, keep winning. It’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” the two-time MVP said. Curry wore a sleeve on his left leg after absorbing a quad contusion but finished the game and expects to be available Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Butler, acquired from the Miami Heat last February, has become one of Kuminga’s most vocal supporters. “We love JK in this locker room,” Butler said. “Whatever brings him joy and happiness, that’s what I want.”
Head coach Steve Kerr met with Kuminga after the morning shootaround and called the circumstances “difficult” for everyone involved but declined to reveal specifics of the conversation. For now, winning is softening the edges. “I like where we are at,” Curry said. “I like the vibes. I like how we are playing.”
Golden State continues its seven-game homestand Saturday night against Charlotte.
Source: ESPN
