Jonathan Kuminga turned many heads in his Atlanta Hawks debut, putting together a highly efficient performance in his team’s comfortable win over the Washington Wizards.
The 23-year-old forward poured in 27 points on just 12 shots, while adding 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in the 119-98 victory. This showing ultimately stunned many people around the NBA, including one notable former guard.
Jonathan Kuminga’s Debut Surprised Patrick Beverley
Kuminga’s time with the Golden State Warriors came to an end on February 4 after several seasons of unfulfilled potential. Despite his athletic talent, the former No. 7 overall pick struggled to find a consistent role in a crowded rotation.
Tensions grew as the team pushed for championships while Kuminga’s fit became uncertain. Even with his recent extension last year, the dynamic forward was constantly involved in trade chatter until he was eventually dealt to the Hawks.
The Hawks’ new forward immediately showed a new gear in Quin Snyder’s offense on Tuesday, and his ability to consistently attack the rim fits well into this high-tempo scheme.
Kuminga’s performance drew more than a few surprising reactions, including one from twelve-year NBA veteran Patrick Beverley. The former three-time All-Defensive guard gave a shoutout to the Hawks, while noting what he saw differently from Kuminga against the Wizards.
Didn’t even knew Kuminga smiled that much😂😂 Damn, He got his joy back 🏀
I like this new ATL
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) February 25, 2026
“Didn’t even knew Kuminga smiled that much.” Beverley said in a post on X, “Damn, He got his joy back. I like this new ATL.”
Kuminga Will Be Heavily Relied on by the Hawks Going Forward
The Hawks are looking towards the future after trading star point guard Trae Young. This franchise is embracing size and athleticism, particularly at the wing position, as it looks to build around All-Star forward Jalen Johnson.
Kuminga might come off the bench for now, but he played 24 minutes in his Hawks debut, and that total will likely increase going forward. This is a roster that needs more shot creators and versatile on-ball defenders who can consistently fight over screens.
Kuminga fits both of those archetypes, and if his outside shot continues to develop, he will vault into the starting lineup in no time. The Hawks are currently the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference with little margin for error to stay in the Play-In.
The good news is that the schedule is very reasonable going forward, and as Beverley puts it, Kuminga now seems completely rejuvenated. There are plenty of reasons to believe this team can move up the Eastern Conference standings.
