Watch: Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga posterizes the Grizzlies
Jonathan Kuminga went scoreless in the first quarter Friday night. The second quarter was a different story.
Kuminga poured in 15 points during the second quarter of the Golden State Warriors game against the Memphis Grizzlies, thanks to some monster dunks. That wasn't all for the Warriors' young forward. He got another big dunk after a nice assist from Stephen Curry.
The 21-year-old Kuminga was having trouble getting minutes earlier in the season, but he's now scored 20+ points in seven straight games and was well on his way after one half. His playing time represents a complete reversal for head coach Steve Kerr, who generally leans on veterans. But Kuminga and a contingent of young players played big minutes in the first half.
Rookie Brandin Podziemski assisted on Kuminga's first two baskets. Lester Quinones, who played his college ball in Memphis, logged ten solid minutes as the backup point guard. The Warriors played rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis and 21-year-old Brazilian Gui Santos early, and they were rewarded by 9-for-12 shooting from their young bench.
But it was mostly Kuminga, who has gone from a trade candidate to an untouchable franchise cornerstone in the past month.
Golden State went into halftime leading 57-47.
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