It wasn’t the result the Bay was banking on, but don’t tell that to Jimmy Butler III.
After the Golden State Warriors dropped a gritty 102-97 decision to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 on Saturday, heads were hanging. But not Butler’s.
The veteran guard sounded supremely confident, pointing at teammate Jonathan Kuminga as the key to flipping the script in Game 4. He wasn’t the only one name-dropping Kuminga so he might be on to something.
Jimmy Butler III Backs Jonathan Kuminga After Tough Loss to Timberwolves
Kuminga balled out in front of the home crowd in Game 3, dropping 30 points off the bench in just 36 minutes in what would be a historic night. The 22-year-old became the youngest Warrior in franchise history to score 30+ points off the bench in a playoff game.
And, with Stephen Curry sidelined until at least Game 6, the timing couldn’t be better. Butler couldn’t stop raving about the young forward after the final buzzer.
“It’s a beautiful sight to see,” Butler told reporters, via Hater Report. “But like I tell everybody, me and him can thrive together.”
Praising his effort, Butler added, “He did so many good things out there on the floor, and I know that he’s gonna be a huge part of us winning on Monday.”
Jimmy Butler on Jonathan Kuminga having a breakout game:
"It's a beautiful sight to see. Me and him can thrive together. He's gonna be a huge part in us WINNING on Monday" 👀
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_)
That’s not just teammate talk. That’s a belief. Kuminga and Butler combined for 63 of the Warriors’ 97 points in Game 3. That’s more than half the offense, without Curry. The only other player who cracked double digits was Buddy Hield with 14.
That’s it. The rest of the rotation looked flat. Draymond Green fouled out again after another underwhelming night: two points, two boards, and four assists. Golden State needed a spark, and Kuminga lit the fuse.
Warriors Eye Redemption With Game 4 Looming
If Golden State wants to keep this series from slipping away, Monday’s Game 4 at Chase Center is must-win territory. The Warriors held their own for most of Game 3, holding a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter.
Then, the wheels fell off down the stretch and Minnesota slammed the door shut. Without Green’s presence late, and without Curry’s shot creation, Golden State struggled to string together quality looks when it mattered most.
Could Butler’s confidence in Kuminga changes the vibe? Sure. It might shift the momentum of the entire series. The 22-year-old played with purpose while filling up the box score. Kuminga attacked the rim and looked like a guy itching to make his mark.
