SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga is confident that he can do all things on a basketball court.
Looking at his 3-point percentage, you might think otherwise, but the young wing has been on a mission lately. He caught fire from beyond the arc in the third quarter on Friday, as he hit all of his four 3-pointers to spark a 129-117 Warriors victory over the Toronto Raptors.
Playing on a team with the Splash Brothers, and with a 28.8 percent 3-point percentage entering the game, Kuminga didn’t get as much outside attention as he should have from the Raptors. They repeatedly left him open in the corner and he made them pay. Kuminga also drilled a 3-pointer right before the end of the third quarter, draining four in the period to match his career high for a game. And he did it all in the final three minutes of the quarter.
"That corner 3's a big shot for him," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "I think it's an effective weapon for him with his speed and explosiveness. We know he can get to the rim and score, but if he can space the court and hit that corner 3, that's a big deal. I thought that was a big swing in the game when he made those three or four in a row."
Kuminga provided a huge boost with 15 points in 23 minutes off the bench in a game when Jordan Poole (nine points) struggled to provide much offense. Steph Curry (35 points) and Klay Thompson (29 points) looked like the Splash Brothers, while Kuminga played 15 of his minutes after halftime and closed out the game after Kevon Looney fouled out.
In his four contests since returning from a sprained right foot, Kuminga is 7-of-10 from 3-point land (70 percent). He also has scored in double digits each game, averaging 14.5 points per game in that stretch.
"JK actually has great form," Thompson said. "It's fluid, he's got his elbow locked, it looks great. ... He's just showing another element to his game, not that it's something I have doubted. But to get on the hot streak that he did was impressive. For that man, sky's the limit for his talent."
Kuminga’s best attribute right now is with his ability to defend all virtually every position, but if he can prove to be a decent shooter to keep opposing defenses honest, JK’s offensive game could grow big-time. We already know the 2021 No. 7 overall pick can dunk with the best of 'em.
"He's got the physical ability to be a hell of a two-way player," Kerr said. "He can guard 1 through 4 and with his ability to score around the basket, you saw the 3-point shots tonight. That's why we drafted him. He's an exciting prospect and he's getting better and better."
Of all the 22-and-under players – including three recent lottery picks – on the squad, Kuminga looks like he has the biggest chance to contribute this season. Third-year center James Wiseman didn't get off the bench despite foul trouble for Looney, while second-year wing Moses Moody was sent down the G League on Thursday.
This season was supposed to be a showcase for the Warriors' two-timeline approach, but only Poole and Kuminga are making a major impact among the young Dubs.
