{"id":134127,"date":"2025-04-14T07:30:28","date_gmt":"2025-04-14T11:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=134127"},"modified":"2025-04-14T06:52:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-14T10:52:04","slug":"implications-of-jonathan-kumingas-dnp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/04\/14\/implications-of-jonathan-kumingas-dnp\/","title":{"rendered":"The Serious Implications of Jonathan Kuminga\u2019s DNP vs Clippers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Warriors and the Clippers squared off on Sunday in the most exciting game of the final night of the 2024-25 NBA regular season<\/a>. The game had huge implications on the Western Conference playoff seeding. A win or loss by either team would either seal a playoff spot or doom them to the Play-In Tournament. The Warriors narrowly lost in a heartbreaking overtime game that went back-and-forth throughout. Steve Kerr<\/a> and the Warriors\u2019 coaching staff made multiple critical decisions that could have been the difference in the game. The biggest, however, was Kerr\u2019s decision to bench Jonathan Kuminga<\/a>, giving him a \u201cDid not play- coach\u2019s decision\u201d. Jonathan Kuminga\u2019s DNP against the Clippers didn\u2019t just have implications on Sunday but for him and the Warriors down the line as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Serious Implications of Jonathan Kuminga\u2019s DNP vs Clippers<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Warriors Coaching Staff Benches Kuminga vs Clippers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

For whatever reason, the Warriors coaching staff decided to bench Kuminga for Sunday\u2019s must-win contest against the Clippers. Kuminga has had an up-and-down season for the Warriors and, since the arrival of Jimmy Butler<\/a>, has had trouble finding his rhythm<\/a> for the thriving Warriors offense. Kerr decided that he didn\u2019t want to risk putting Kuminga in against the veteran Clippers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The last time <\/span>Kuminga played the Clippers<\/span><\/a> he scored 34 points with 10 rebounds and five assists. This was before his injury, but, shockingly, the Warriors coaching staff decided not to even see if Kuminga could get going in this game. Kuminga could have been used defensively in the game as well. In the final stretch, Kerr went with Gary Payton II<\/a> to guard James Harden<\/a>. This was despite Harden getting by Payton for much of the fourth quarter. Kuminga could have been a decent alternative to Payton in those clutch moments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jonathan Kuminga\u2019s DNP Could Have Ramifications<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Kuminga\u2019s DNP vs the Clippers could have bigger ramifications than we think. First of all, Kuminga and Kerr haven\u2019t always had the best relationship, and Kuminga has been known at times to be unhappy with his role and playing time. Getting benched in the biggest game of the season is a huge deal. Kuminga may not take it well. This puts the Warriors at risk of losing him emotionally for the Play-In Tournament, 2025 NBA playoffs, and even the offseason.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Jonathan Kuminga getting shots up after receiving a DNP in loss to Clippers pic.twitter.com\/0fw3tq0ZVI<\/a><\/p>\n

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) April 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n