'Can't stop him': You won't believe eye-popping stats from Warriors' rising star

By Ethan Scott | Last updated 1/26/24

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga is emerging as one of the NBA's most promising young talents. With his impressive athleticism and a versatile offensive skillset, the 21-year-old boasts one of the highest ceilings among the league's rising stars.

In Golden State's 134-112 win over Atlanta on Wednesday, Kuminga shot 11-of-11 from the floor, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record 25 (or more) points on perfect efficiency.

"You can't stop him," Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said afterward, per The Athletic's Anthony Slater. "He's so powerful."

Now in his third season, the 6-foot-7 Kuminga has posted career-best figures across the board — averages of 14.3 points and 4.4 rebounds and a 53.1 shooting percentage from the field.

For comparison, in his third season, Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 16.9 points and 7.7 rebounds and shot 50.6 percent from the floor. However, Antetokounmpo logged 35.3 minutes per game, while Kuminga is averaging just 23.4.

Kuminga has scored double figures in 21 consecutive games and exceeded 20 points in five straight — all while coming off the bench. Over his past five games, Kuminga is averaging 25.6 points (65 percent from the field and 56 percent from three) and 6.2 rebounds in just 28.4 minutes.

Per StatMamba, Kuminga is the first Warrior with five consecutive 20-point games off the bench since 1992.

Kuminga's display of athleticism was on full display Thursday in a 134-133 loss to the Sacramento Kings.

His athleticism, coupled with his long reach, not only amplifies his offensive skillset but also his defensive versatility. Kuminga has great two-way potential. When locked in, he can be a great team defender, disrupting passing lanes and hounding the matchup in front of him.

With Kuminga's current trajectory, Golden State's front office faces a pivotal question: Should it trade Kuminga to salvage this season? Heading into Saturday's home game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State (19-23) is 12th in the Western Conference.

The answer: probably not.

Kuminga's ascent suggests he could be on the path to becoming an unstoppable force, making any trade involving him a gamble Golden State might regret.

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