SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors is expected to be out for a minimum of three weeks following a sprained right ankle sustained during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies last Saturday night.
Following an MRI, the team confirmed the injury and announced that he will be re-evaluated in three weeks. The incident occurred when Kuminga leaped to block a shot but landed awkwardly on the feet of two Grizzlies players.
“It’s still very fresh, it’s only a couple hours,” Kuminga expressed, reflecting on the immediate aftermath of the injury. “I’m not happy with what happened. … There are things you take day by day; you never know. I don’t even think about that far ahead, I’m just focused on how I’m going to get back.”
The day after the injury, Kuminga was uncertain about the details of the incident but was determined to start his rehabilitation. He has acknowledged that he has faced similar injuries before and plans to remain positive by reviewing game footage and spending quality time with his teammates.
Kuminga has sought advice from experienced teammate Draymond Green during this challenging time. “I just don’t want to be out; I want to be out there,” he mentioned while resting on crutches at his locker before the Warriors’ game against Sacramento. “I feel like our team is now taking off in the right direction and I would love to just be out there.”
The injury occurred in the last few minutes of the first half during the Warriors’ 121-113 victory over Memphis, as he rolled the outside of his ankle. With Kuminga unavailable, Kyle Anderson is expected to see an increase in his playing time.
Kuminga has been an essential part of the team, ranking as their second-leading scorer behind Stephen Curry with an average of 16.8 points, alongside 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists. Prior to his injury, he had scored 13 points in just 15 minutes of play.
I definitely knew right away,” Kuminga recalled. “Once I landed on the guy, it was sore right away, and that’s why I just run out because I knew I wasn’t coming back after that.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the difficulty of Kuminga’s absence while stating that he would explore various options to fill the gap left by him. The team’s depth will be put to the test, as they will certainly miss Kuminga’s athleticism, particularly around the rim.
Additionally, Moses Moody is another player who is likely to receive more opportunities as a result of Kuminga’s injury. “Yeah, brutal. He’s our most athletic scorer, finisher, and he’s been playing so well,” Kerr commented. “It’s a tough one. However, we do feel good about our depth and our ability to withstand his loss.”
