Kerr Elevates Jonathan Kuminga to Full-Time Starter for Warriors
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OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State head coach Steve Kerr confirmed Tuesday night, October 29, 2025, that forward Jonathan Kuminga will remain in the Warriors’ starting lineup on a full-time basis.
“He’ll be our starter going forward,” Kerr told reporters before the club’s victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. “He’s been fantastic.”
Kerr said Kuminga, 23, will open games guarding the opponent’s top perimeter scorer. Two recent examples: Ja Morant on Monday and James Harden on Tuesday.
Path to the lineup
The seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft started 46 of 74 games in 2023-24 but never topped 16 starts in any other season. He was not expected to begin 2025-26 in the first five; Kerr initially planned to start veteran Al Horford, and guard Moses Moody was also a possibility before a training-camp calf injury sidelined him.
With Horford coming off the bench to manage minutes and Moody unavailable, Kuminga seized the opportunity. Through the first five games — all starts — he is averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 30.2 minutes, shooting 53.7 percent from the field, 43.8 percent from three, and 76.2 percent at the line.
Improved defense and rebounding
Kuminga’s 37 rebounds are the most he has logged in any five-game stretch of his career. Kerr also praised the forward’s shot selection and playmaking, noting a reduction in mid-range jumpers and an increase in drives and passes to teammates Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
“He’s being much more purposeful,” the coach said. “The combination of Jimmy, Draymond and JK wasn’t great last year, but his passing makes it click.”
Fifth-starter spot still fluid
Kerr added that the team has not decided on a permanent fifth starter. Matchups will dictate whether rookie center Quinten Post or second-year guard Brandin Podziemski joins Curry, Butler, Draymond Green, and Kuminga in the opening unit.
Source: HoopsRumors
