Jonathan Kuminga dazzles in Hawks debut after Warriors trade

Atlanta Hawks forward Jonathan Kuminga. Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Jonathan Kuminga dazzles in Hawks debut after getting dumped by Warriors

By Sean Keane | Last updated Feb 25, 2026 12:28 AM ET

Jonathan Kuminga couldn't get on the floor with the Golden State Warriors. In his first game with the Atlanta Hawks, he showed his old team — and the NBA world — what they were missing.

The 23-year-old forward scored 27 points in 24 minutes in his Hawks debut, adding seven rebounds, four assists and two steals in Atlanta's 119-98 win over the Washington Wizards.

Jonathan Kuminga has a lot to prove in two months

The Warriors made Kuminga the No. 7 pick in 2021, but he was in and out of the lineup thanks to injuries and the whims of Warriors coach Steve Kerr. After a protracted holdout last summer during his restricted free agency, Kuminga signed a two-year deal with a team option for 2026-27.

Then, the Warriors benched him one week into December. It seemed clear the Warriors only saw Kuminga as trade bait, not a real piece of their future. That trade finally happened at the deadline, with Kuminga heading to the Hawks in exchange for Kristaps Porzingis.

He was still dealing with a nagging knee injury after the trade, but he gave the Hawks plenty to think about in his debut.

Jonathan Kuminga SHINES in Hawks debut

27 points
9-12 shooting
3-4 from deep
7 rebounds
4 assists
2 steals pic.twitter.com/Qg1WOObVad
— NBA (@NBA) February 25, 2026

It's only one game, but the impressive performance should make the Hawks think hard about Kuminga's $23.4M team option for next season. Or, figure out a long-term deal with him, perhaps at a lower number for 2026-27. The Hawks have turned over half their roster this season with a series of trades, and Kuminga may be a good fit alongside the team's young core, featuring three starters 25 and younger.

Jonathan Kuminga deserves this opportunity

Kuminga never truly got a chance on a Warriors team full of veterans that naturally prioritized competing for titles ahead of developing young players. On the Hawks, his athleticism and ability to run the floor are a great fit.

The Hawks play at the league's second-fastest pace, and they don't have one single player who dominates the ball, unlike the Warriors' Steph Curry-centric offense. But they also share the ball well, leading the NBA in assists.

After years of frustration in Golden State, Kuminga deserves the chance to show what he can do — and in a situation that should allow him to thrive. If he keeps scoring like this, Kuminga could have a home in Atlanta for a long time.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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