SAN ANTONIO — Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr announced a new starting five before Wednesday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, removing forward Jonathan Kuminga after 12 consecutive starts to open the season.
Kerr’s decision came with the Warriors sitting at 6–6 after dropping five of their previous seven contests and carrying a six-game road losing streak. “It’s very clear we’ve been a little clunky recently,” Kerr told reporters during his pregame availability. “There are times in the season when it’s obvious you’ve got to make some changes.”
Rookie guard Will Richard took Kuminga’s place alongside Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, marking Richard’s second career start. The 22-year-old entered the night averaging 10.0 points on 58.6 percent shooting, including 43.8 percent from three-point range. Kerr praised the second-round pick earlier in the month, noting Richard “constantly makes the right cut” and is “going to contribute quite a bit for us this year.”
Kuminga, 23, had been elevated to the starting unit on opening night after logging only 10 starts last season. On Oct. 28, Kerr declared, “He’ll be our starter going forward,” citing the forward’s defensive assignments on Ja Morant and James Harden in back-to-back games. The recent slide, however, prompted the reevaluation.
The Warriors defeated San Antonio on Wednesday, improving to 7–6 in Kuminga’s first outing as a reserve. The club’s four-game trip continues with a rematch at Frost Bank Center on Friday before visits to New Orleans, Orlando and Miami.
Off the court, Green had questioned “personal agendas” inside the locker room following Tuesday’s 24-point loss in Oklahoma City, though he did not name specific teammates. Kuminga spent much of the summer in a contract standoff seeking a larger role and salary, eventually signing a two-year, $48.5 million deal last month that includes a team option for the second season.
Through 13 appearances, the former first-round pick is averaging 13.8 points, a career-best 6.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 27.7 minutes, while shooting a personal-high 77.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Source: Basketball Insiders
