Injury Report: Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga (strained patellar tendon) cleared for return to practice
Through the first two games of the regular season, the Golden State Warriors have been missing their top draft pick from the 2021 NBA draft.
After suffering a straight right patella tendon injury in a preseason contest against the Denver Nuggets, Jonathan Kuminga has yet to make his regular-season debut in a Golden State uniform.
While there isn’t a set date for his return yet, the rookie is making progress in his return to the lineup. On Saturday, the Warriors announced Kuminga has been cleared to participate in full-team practices for the first time since his injury.
Kuminga is slated to miss Golden State’s next three games before being re-evaluated again on Friday, Oct. 29. The Warriors will play the Sacramento Kings, Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies before Kuminga is re-evaluated.
If Kuminga is cleared to return to the Warriors’ rotation after his re-evaluation, he could make his debut on Oct. 30 against the Thunder or on Nov. 3 against LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets.
Via @warriors on Twitter:
Jonathan Kuminga, who suffered a strained right patellar tendon on October 6, is making good progress and has been cleared to participate in full team practices. He will not play in the team’s next three games and will be re-evaluated again next Friday. pic.twitter.com/KYQdOpL2aL
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) October 23, 2021
Kuminga impressed with the Warriors in the summer league, averaging 17.4 points on 39.7% shooting from the floor with 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game averages in four contests.
Prior to being drafted by the Warriors at No. 7 overall in the 2021 NBA draft, Kuminga tallied 15.8 points on 38.7% shooting from the floor with 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 32.8 minutes per contest for the G League Ignite.
When Kuminga makes his debut, he will likely slide behind Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green in the rotation. He will have to battle for minutes from Golden State veterans Otto Porter Jr., Andre Iguodala and Nemanja Bjelica. The Warriors could be patient with the development of the 19-year-old.
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