The Golden State Warriors enter another critical stretch of the season with more questions than certainty. Their early promise has faded as the team sits at 9-9.
Injuries are piling up, and Jonathan Kuminga’s continued absence has quietly grown into one of the team’s biggest concerns. As the Warriors prepare to face the Utah Jazz on Monday, Nov. 24, the spotlight has shifted to the 23-year-old forward and why he’s still not on the court.
Jonathan Kuminga Set to Miss Sixth Straight Game
Jonathan Kuminga has been sidelined with bilateral knee tendonitis, an issue the Warriors initially believed would clear up quickly.
He last played on Nov. 12 against the San Antonio Spurs, logging just 12 minutes. At first, head coach Steve Kerr repeatedly labeled him “day-to-day,” but that optimism has faded with each passing game.
ESPN reported that Kuminga’s MRI showed no structural damage, which is encouraging. However, the soreness has lingered longer than expected:
“The MRI on Kuminga’s knees came back clean, sources told ESPN. … He has been reporting soreness for about two weeks, and the Warriors were hopeful he would scrimmage on Sunday, but he didn’t.”
Kerr admitted after Sunday’s practice that he has “no idea” when Kuminga will be able to play again, signaling that Golden State may be preparing for an extended absence.
Kuminga entered the 2025-26 season coming off a long offseason marked by a contract standoff. He ultimately secured a new two-year, $48.5 million deal with a team option for 2026-27.
He earned a starting role early on, opening the year with strong scoring stretches and averaging more than 15 points in the first few games.
But his production dipped sharply before the injury surfaced. In the three games leading up to the Spurs matchup, Kuminga shot just 36% from the field, and Kerr moved him back to the bench.
The Warriors inserted rookie Will Richard and guard Moses Moody into the starting lineup in an effort to stabilize rotations.
Through 13 games, Kuminga has averaged 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists, numbers that can climb once he’s fully healthy.
Warriors Struggle to Find Stability as Injuries Mount
Golden State opened the season 4-1, but that momentum evaporated after a 1-4 skid. Stephen Curry delivered back-to-back 40-point nights to pull the team out of the slump. But the Warriors have dropped three straight and are searching for answers on both ends of the floor.
Kuminga’s athleticism and scoring potential would give the Warriors much-needed energy. But his injury isn’t the only issue. Kerr confirmed that 39-year-old Al Horford will miss at least a week because of sciatica.
Draymond Green is also out for the Jazz game after suffering a foot sprain against the Portland Trail Blazers.
With multiple rotation pieces sidelined and no clear return timeline for Kuminga, the Warriors’ depth is being tested at the worst possible time.
