After suffering a tough home defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Golden State Warriors entered their Thursday game against the Philadelphia 76ers with a strong determination. They quickly established an 18-point lead in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the evening.
The Warriors went on to defeat the 76ers 139-105, improving their season record to 17-16. Star point guard Steph Curry was a standout performer, scoring 30 points and providing 10 assists while shooting 11-for-15 from the field and a flawless 8-for-8 from three-point range. His +32 plus-minus rating was a season high and his second highest since the 2019-20 season.
However, Curry’s success was supported by a solid team effort, particularly from 22-year-old forward Jonathan Kuminga, who contributed significantly off the bench with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.
Kuminga’s role with the Warriors has varied during his young four-year career, but the team seems to perform better when he plays a key part. Following the victory over the 76ers, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr remarked on Kuminga’s continued improvement and crucial contributions.
“This was Kuminga’s fifth consecutive great game,” Kerr noted. “He’s really figuring out his role and was outstanding again today.”
Kuminga has been exceptional lately, including two back-to-back 34-point games last week. As Kerr looks to tighten up the rotation, Kuminga is expected to remain a vital asset for the team, especially in his sixth-man position.
Despite past criticism regarding his use of Kuminga, Kerr has seen the young forward prove he deserves over 30 minutes of play each game.
