Why Jonathan Kuminga coming off the Warriors' bench is the right move right now – NBC Sports Bay Area and CA

SAN FRANCISCO — Chase Center was a low-stress environment for the Warriors late Sunday afternoon. They've already decided to pit Stephen Curry against a bad Utah Jazz team, and a spot in the NBA championship game is locked before tip-off.

The Warriors won over the Jazz, 118-110. The game was not close, but it presented the perfect opportunity to facilitate Jonathan Kuminga's return to action.

Kuminga was the team's starting point guard before missing six games with hamstring tendinitis, but the Warriors are outscored 5-1 in his absence. Therefore, coach Steve Kerr decided that Kuminga would come off the bench in his return.

With Andrew Wiggins and Curry on the sidelines, Kerr installed Brandin Podzemski and Chris Paul as starters alongside Trayce Jackson-Davis, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

“The decision to start Branden was based on the groups,” Kerr said. “With Steph out, we want to keep running Draymond and Trice for defensive reasons. It seemed like a better combination if we started Branden and had Jonathan on the bench.

Kuminga responded as the warriors had desired. He came on with 6:14 remaining in the first quarter and immediately went on offense, constantly running up and down the court. He was energetic, productive and efficient.

“JK did a great job tonight,” Kerr said. “He looked bouncy and strong. I watched him train yesterday and he was training great.”

With 21 points in 27 minutes, Kuminga looked like a man determined to prove that his knees were in good shape – and that he wanted to regain his place in the starting lineup.

There is no reason at this time to believe that he will do so. Or should.

The Warriors' best starting lineup doesn't include Kuminga. With Jackson Davis at center and Green Wiggins on offense, with Thompson joining Curry in the backcourt, they provide the level of interior defense needed to keep them in most games.

“Bringing Jonathan off the bench, watching him run the floor and attack the rim, it's a great dynamic when you're on the bench,” Kerr said. “But we'll have to see. When Steph comes back, we've got to find exactly how we want to do it, because you know we felt really good about JK starting about 30 games in a row, with Draymond at No. 5.”

“But given what's happened over the last two weeks, I want to keep starting Trayce. If JK comes off the bench and plays the way he played tonight, great. We'll figure it out.”

So, what to do with Kuminga? He can provide the rush that Klay Thompson provided during his month as a reserve. They are certainly two different players, but both have the ability to demand a lot of attention from the opposition defence.

It was Kuminga's sixth straight 20-point game coming off the bench. He is capable. He didn't seem to mind.

“I wasn't worried about getting on the bench,” Kuminga said. “It's like coach always says, it doesn't matter. As long as you go out there and give it your all, you'll be there.

“I was more interested in going out there and impacting the win.”

Kuminga's 21 points came on 9-of-11 shooting from the field, with an impressive mix of the amazing and the mundane. His four assists were welcomed, but perhaps the most entertaining statistic was the team's 10 rebounds.

This is notable because rebounding has been the least consistent aspect of Kuminga's game. He knows this because he's heard it from his coaches and teammates.

He'll get minutes, no matter how or when. The bench is the right choice, at least for now.

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