Jonathan Kuminga has played five games since being traded from the Golden State Warriors to the Atlanta Hawks six weeks ago. He will face his former team on Saturday night.
The Hawks rested Kuminga on Friday to manage his knee injury, as they were in the middle of a back-to-back game. Despite limited play time with Atlanta, this is a significant difference compared to his time with the Warriors, where he often sat out due to health issues.
Jonathan Kuminga Aims to Impress the Warriors
Kuminga, selected as the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, struggled to find his place with the Warriors, a team that shocked many by winning the title in 2022. Coach Steve Kerr faced challenges integrating Kuminga and other young players while prioritizing veterans like Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Additionally, Kuminga’s frequent injuries hindered his progress.
Although he signed a two-year deal before the 2025-26 season, many viewed it as a move to enhance trade opportunities, given its team option for 2026-27. The Warriors hoped to package Kuminga in a trade for a star like Giannis Antetokounmpo but ended up trading him for Kristaps Porzingis at the deadline.
Kuminga made an impressive debut with the Hawks, scoring 27 points in 24 minutes and averaging 14.8 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. This level of performance, especially in rebounding, was what the Warriors hoped to see from their lottery pick, but it was hard to achieve under the Warriors’ system.
Hawks Positioned for Playoff Success Over Warriors
The trade that sent Kuminga to the Hawks coincided with an injury to Steph Curry, who has not played since January 30. At that time, the Warriors had a record of 27-22, but they’ve since gone 6-15.
Conversely, the Hawks are on the rise. They won Kuminga’s debut and began an 11-game winning streak, only halted with a loss to the Rockets on Friday. Their performance has transformed their standing from the lower end of the play-in tournament to potentially securing a top-five position in the Eastern Conference. With Kuminga, the team is 6-0, winning all games by double digits.
For Kuminga, Saturday’s game is more than just revenge; it’s an opportunity to help his new team push for the playoffs. Unlike his time with Golden State, he is expected to receive ample playing time as long as he remains healthy.