Steve Kerr tried to be diplomatic. He took the blame. He acknowledged that he couldn’t thread the needle between competing for championships and developing a young player. He said he liked Jonathan Kuminga personally. He said he hoped Kuminga would thrive in Atlanta.
On Saturday night, after the Hawks’ 115-101 win over the Warriors, Kuminga made it clear: he’s not interested in looking back.
The Performance
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr
Let’s start with the box score. Kuminga went 1-for-9 from the field, scoring just two points with two turnovers in 20 minutes. It was the kind of inconsistency that frustrated the Warriors for years—flashes of brilliance followed by nights where the production simply wasn’t there.
The Hawks won anyway. Kuminga’s night wasn’t about statistics. It was about closure.
Kerr’s Diplomacy
In the days leading up to the game, Kerr had done his best to present a nuanced view of the Kuminga era. He took responsibility for the failure to integrate the No. 7 overall pick into a championship roster.
“I take the brunt of the blame,” Kerr said. “I like JK. I get along with him personally. I hope he thrives in Atlanta.”
It was the kind of measured, professional response that has defined Kerr’s tenure. He acknowledged the complexity of the situation—the tension between winning now and developing for the future—and accepted his role in the outcome.
Kuminga’s Response
On Saturday, Kuminga wasn’t playing along.
“Listen, whatever they say, you can take it however you want it,” Kuminga said when asked about Kerr’s comments. “I am not worried about the past. I’m here. I’m very happy right now. Doing great.”
It was a deliberate pivot. Not anger, not bitterness, but a clear signal that the chapter is closed. Kuminga isn’t interested in re-litigating what happened in Golden State. He’s focused on what comes next.
“Whatever is being said, whatever is going on, that’s not a problem anymore,” he added. “You know I am into my next chapter with my team, we’re trying to build something here.”
The Curry Connection
Kuminga did allow himself one moment of warmth. He spoke about the long conversation he had with Stephen Curry, the Warriors star who is still sidelined with a knee injury but traveled with the team to Atlanta.
That’s a relationship that transcends basketball. Curry has always been a mentor to younger players, and Kuminga clearly values that bond even as he moves on.
He also lit up when asked about Draymond Green, the veteran forward who has been both a mentor and a demanding presence throughout Kuminga’s career.
“That’s my guy, that’s my OG,” Kuminga said, a smile spreading across his face. “Me and Draymond’s connection, it’s always there. The brotherhood is always there. We were just catching up.”
The Bigger Picture
For all the tension in the relationship between Kuminga and the Warriors organization, Saturday night was a reminder that the players themselves often see things differently than the narratives suggest.
Kuminga described the night as “fun.” He talked about hugging his former teammates, about the love and the camaraderie, about how much they all miss each other.
“It felt like a normal game,” he said. “Just excited to see some of my old teammates and some of my guys out there. It was great, I was happy to see them.”
The Bottom Line
Jonathan Kuminga’s time in Golden State didn’t work out. He wanted a bigger role. Kerr couldn’t give it to him. The circumstances weren’t right.
But on Saturday night, Kuminga showed that he’s ready to move on. He’s not interested in the past. He’s not interested in re-litigating what went wrong. He’s focused on his new team, his new chapter, his new future.
“I’m very happy right now,” he said. “Doing great.”
That’s the ending that matters. Not the blame, not the what-ifs, not the negotiations that fell apart. Just a 23-year-old player, finding his way in a new city, with new teammates, and a new chance to prove himself.
The Warriors are in his rearview mirror. And that’s exactly where he wants them.