Steve Kerr Appears to Make Jonathan Kuminga Call After Jimmy Butler Update

Table of Contents

The Golden State Warriors are presently battling the Houston Rockets in Game 4 of their opening round series at home.

Golden State entered Monday’s game looking to take a commanding 3-1 lead in the series after taking control of the series following their Game 2 victory.

Certainly, the Warriors managed to beat the Rockets in Game 2 even with their key player, Jimmy Butler, out of action because of a pelvic and glute contusion.

The positive development for Golden State is that Butler has returned for Game 4 on Monday, concluding the first quarter with four points, two rebounds, and an assist.

Now that Butler is returning, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has decided to make significant changes to the lineup surrounding the star trio consisting of Butler, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green. This new setup will once again feature Jonathan Kuminga as part of the rotation.

It appears that Kuminga has reverted to being sidelined for Game 4 since he hasn't been brought into play for the Warriors yet.

Kerr opted to start Buddy Hield in Moses Moody’s position instead. Meanwhile, Kevon Looney, Gui Santos, Quinten Post, Gary Payton II, and Moody himself have been coming off the bench.

As a result, it appears that Kerr has chosen to sit out Kuminga once more now that Butler is returning to the starting lineup, continuing a pattern observed since the conclusion of the regular season.

Certainly, Kuminga sat out the last regular-season game for Golden State and has kept getting listed as DNP ever since during the playoff run.

The change occurred when Butler got injured in Game 2; subsequently, Kerr opted to have Kuminga start instead and continued with this lineup for Game 3.

Even though Kuminga performed well in Games 2 and 3, it's evident that Kerr plans to keep him on the sidelines for now when Butler takes the court, at least for the near future.