Jonathan Kuminga laced up for his new team, the Atlanta Hawks, for the first time on Tuesday. Coming off the bench, he was a force for the side as his 27-point explosion helped the side rout the Washington Wizards, 119-98.
The win saw the new-look Hawks win their second consecutive game after pipping the Brooklyn Nets earlier. However, the focus was firmly on Kuminga after his dramatic final months with the Golden State Warriors before he was dealt to the Hawks ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
Atlanta Hawks Get Big Game from Jonathan Kuminga in Debut
Speaking on ESPN’s “NBA Today,” league insider Brian Windhorst believed Jonathan Kuminga was a man on a mission. “After everything that’s happened to Jonathan Kuminga this year, and over the last couple of years, he’s finally back from injury, and he gets this remarkable opportunity. They need him. The Hawks are not tanking.”
The forward was off to a strong start in his debut for the Hawks as he exploded for thunderous dunks, sank 3s, and looked in control of his game during the Hawks’ 119-98 win over the Washington Wizards. Kuminga went 9-for-12 from the field and 3-for-4 from the 3-point line for his 27 points. His 24 minutes on the floor also saw him log seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
His tenure with the Warriors ended amid much drama about his future in San Francisco. Golden State dealt him and sharpshooter Buddy Hield for veteran center Kristaps Porziņģis.
Kuminga missed his first six games for the Hawks as he continued to recover from a left knee bone bruise. Initially, the Sacramento Kings were considered one of the best landing spots for the forward, but later it was the Hawks who came in with a deal to ship Porziņģis after injuries and illnesses saw him play just 17 games this season.
Earlier, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder weighed in on Kuminga’s debut performance. “The things that we’ve talked about as a team, clearly it was a focal point for him,” Snyder told reporters, per Newsweek.”Our playing with the pass is, as you’ve heard me say it since October, and he really demonstrated that right away.”
“Even to the point where it’s okay to shoot, too. He let himself get in the game,” he further added. “Got connected with his teammates and just let the game come to him. I think that shows a lot of maturity on his part and shows a lot of kind of how he feels about the group.”
Kuminga has played just 21 games this season, averaging 12.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists while shooting 47.1% from the field and 35.1% from behind the arc. After a promising start, he and the Hawks will look to build on the momentum.
The Hawks are still in contention for a playoff spot despite a midseason roster shakeup. Their recent win improved them to 29-31 and put them in ninth place in the East, trailing the eighth-placed Miami Heat (31-28). They play the Wizards again at home and wrap up the week with another home game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
