Jonathan Kuminga and the Atlanta Hawks were on the wrong side of NBA history during Thursday’s do-or-die Game 6 home clash against the New York Knicks.
After falling into a staggering first-half deficit, Atlanta set numerous dubious records en route to a season-ending 140-89 blowout. Kuminga’s midgame and final stat lines also raised eyebrows as the Hawks had no answers for New York all night long.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Historically Bad Game 6 Plus-Minus Triggers Mockery
Acquired from the Golden State Warriors ahead of the February trade deadline, Kuminga was viewed as a wildcard bench piece for Atlanta, capable of swinging a series with his slashing and athleticism when fully engaged. However, his effort and consistency have long been called into question.
While the high-flying forward made a strong impact in the Hawks’ narrow Game 2 and Game 3 victories, scoring a combined 40 points, his effectiveness waned over his squad’s ensuing three losses.
Upon checking into Thursday’s contest, with Atlanta looking for a spark to help extend the first-round Eastern Conference playoff series, Kuminga endured a historic beatdown.
New York set a postseason record with a 47-point halftime lead (83-36), forcing the Hawks into 14 turnovers. This came after the Jalen Brunson-led unit took a 50-point edge at the 4:39 mark in the second quarter, making them the fastest ever to do so in playoff history.
Kuminga finished the nightmarish first half with 3 points, 1 assist, and 1 block, shooting 1-for-4 (25%), while missing both of his free-throw attempts over 12 minutes. He also logged an unfathomable minus-40 plus-minus, the worst mark in the first half of a playoff game in the NBA’s play-by-play era.
Jonathan Kuminga was first player in play by play era (since 1997) to be -40 in the first half of a playoff game. Previous worst was -39 for Austin Croshere in Game 4 vs Bucks in 2000
— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) May 1, 2026
The 23-year-old didn’t fare significantly better in the second half, finishing with 11 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block on 3-for-7 shooting (42.9%) across 23 minutes. Kuminga also ended the evening with the lowest plus-minus off the bench in a postseason game in the play-by-play era (minus-44), triggering widespread ridicule on X.
Jonathan Kuminga just had the lowest +/- off the bench in a playoff game ever. pic.twitter.com/OlezetipS0
— Real App (@realapp) May 1, 2026
“Kuminga Stans real quiet now 😂😂,” one user wrote.
Kuminga Stans real quiet now 😂😂
— Caden (@Howell17Caden) May 1, 2026
“How does one go -40 in 12 mins ðŸ˜,” fan account WarriorsMuse questioned.
How does one go -40 in 12 mins 😠https://t.co/1zjgvAyXEC pic.twitter.com/31fMZDfkMC
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) May 1, 2026
“Kuminga’s 3 cuts the Knicks’ lead all the way down to 31,” Knicks beat writer Kristian Winfield quipped.
Kuminga’s 3 cuts the Knicks’ lead all the way down to 31
— Kristian Winfield (@Krisplashed) April 30, 2026
“Jonathan Kuminga was so aggressive them first games, now he just out there doing cardio,” another user asserted.
Johnathan kuminga was so aggressive them first games now he just out there doing cardio.
— Sports Enthusiast (@OGJohnLee) April 30, 2026
“Steve Kerr watching Jonathan Kuminga be -44 in only 20 minutes ðŸ˜ðŸ’€,” Hater Report captioned a fitting Shannon Sharpe meme, referencing Kuminga’s former feud with Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
Steve Kerr watching Jonathan Kuminga be -44 in only 20 minutes ðŸ˜ðŸ’€ pic.twitter.com/3p4nqkaxVF
— Hater Report (@HaterReport) May 1, 2026
New York’s 51-point victory margin ultimately marked its largest in the playoffs in franchise history, raising major questions for Kuminga and Co. after a resurgent late-season run.
