The Golden State Warriors‘ best lineup this season reportedly features Jonathan Kuminga and Brandin Podziemski. The Warriors are currently struggling with injuries and inconsistencies, with a record of 10-10 after the first 20 games of the season.
Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard shared his four observations about the Warriors’ first 20 games of the campaign. One of those observations was the team’s best lineups, showing that Draymond Green and Quinten Post have the best plus-minus on the team at +97.
In terms of lineups, the Warriors’ best five on the floor together are Green, Kuminga, Podziemski, Steph Curry, and Jimmy Butler. This lineup has a plus-minus of 170 points in 65 minutes of playing together. The second-best lineup features Curry, Butler, Green, Will Richard and Moses Moody at +143 points in 55 minutes.
Amid the team’s struggles, Podziemski’s poor play has been pointed out by some Warriors fans on social media. Kuminga, on the other hand, hasn’t played since Nov. 12 against the San Antonio Spurs due to bilateral patellar tendinitis.
The 23-year-old forward has returned to practice, but he still has no timetable for a return, as reported by Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.
Podziemski Needs to Step Up
In the Golden State Warriors’ 104-100 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Steph Curry suffered a right quad contusion after a series of collisions. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that Curry underwent an MRI, and the contusion was confirmed. He was also diagnosed with a muscle strain and was ruled out for at least a week.
Based on his current timeline, Curry will likely miss at least three games. The last two during the homestand against the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder, and the first game of a four-city road trip, starting in Philadelphia.
With the team’s best player out, Jimmy Butler is going to be the first option on offense. Brandin Podziemski is expected to get back into the starting lineup, which gives him a chance to redeem himself after two missed free throws and a costly turnover in the fourth quarter against the Rockets.
Moses Moody, Will Richard and Buddy Hield are also expected to have an expanded role amid the two-time MVP’s absence. If Jonathan Kuminga can return as soon as possible, he’ll also give the Warriors a boost on offense.
Kuminga Could Return Against Pelicans
In a separate report by ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Jonathan Kuminga is likely returning to the lineup on Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Kuminga was initially sent to the NBA G League, alongside De’Anthony Melton and Gui Santos, to get more workouts in.
Kuminga also participated in Wednesday’s scrimmage, though there was an initial skepticism regarding his return. While Monte Poole reported doubts about the 23-year-old forward’s return timeline, the official decision likely won’t happen until before tipoff.
In 13 games this season, Kuminga was averaging 13.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 47.8% shooting. He was the initial starter in the first 12 games of the season before getting demoted back to the bench.
Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported that Kuminga’s team-friendly contract is considered one of the trade chips in the NBA ahead of the February deadline.
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