The Golden State Warriors are off to a blazing start in the 2025-2026 NBA season. They have won four of their first five games and are reminding everyone why they remain among the toughest teams in the West. Their latest victory, a 98–79 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, showcased the team’s defensive grit and a new spark in their lineup.
But before that matchup, a bold and headline-making decision came from head coach Steve Kerr, an adjustment involving 23-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga, who signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension in the offseason.
Why Did Steve Kerr Make Jonathan Kuminga a Permanent Starter?
When asked about the lineup change ahead of the matchup against the Clippers, Kerr revealed that Kuminga’s growth and maturity have made him impossible to keep out of the starting lineup. This move signals a significant shift for the young forward and the team’s strategy.
“He’ll be our starter going forward. He’s been fantastic. Last night we put him on Ja. Tonight, we’ll put him on James Harden. I think he’s ready,” Kerr said, via ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
Kuminga joined the Warriors as the seventh overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, skipping college after a standout run with the G League Ignite. He quickly contributed to Golden State’s 2022 championship as a rookie. Still, he has bounced between starting and bench roles since entering the league, and in the 2024-2025 season, he started 46 of 74 games. The current revelation regarding Kuminga is more than symbolic; it’s a statement of trust.
The case for starting him is straightforward. In five games, the 23-year-old forward has emerged as a cornerstone piece, averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 53.7% shooting from the field, including 43.8% from three. His defensive versatility, which includes switching across wings and bigs, contesting at the rim, and finishing possessions on the glass, gives Golden State the lineup flexibility it sorely needs.
Against the Clippers, the Warriors’ new look showed both promise and resilience. Golden State seized control early, building an eight-point edge after the first quarter. However, the offense sputtered in the second, managing only 13 points, and the Warriors trailed by three at halftime. The response after the break was emphatic. Golden State recalibrated, tightened the screws defensively, and surged to 52 points in the second half. The Clippers couldn’t match the physicality or pace, and the Warriors closed out a comfortable 98-79 win.
Now, Kuminga and the Warriors gear up for a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 30. It’s a measuring-stick matchup and another chance for Kuminga to validate his starter status against elite size and force.
