Not Butler: The player who stepped up in Curry’s absence during Warriors’ early playoff exit

If you have a player like Jimmy Butler on your roster, it brings a sense of calm in tense moments, like the one the Golden State Warriors faced when Stephen Curry went down with an injury during the NBA Playoffs. However, in Butler’s first season, the Warriors lacked a go-to player to step up in Curry’s absence.

The loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Semifinals didn’t come as a major surprise. Curry had been playing some of his best basketball of the season, but his injury created a void that few could fill. One player, however, made a strong impression, Jonathan Kuminga.

Now in his fourth year with the Warriors, Kuminga had an inconsistent regular season, hindered by injuries at key moments. But when Curry was unavailable in the playoffs, Kuminga embraced the opportunity and played like a true difference-maker, attacking the rim, facilitating offense, and making an impact on both ends of the court.

In the final game of the series against the Timberwolves, Kuminga came off the bench to score 26 points in 32 minutes, adding three rebounds and two steals. While many struggled to find their rhythm, he delivered.

Across the four games he played without Curry, Kuminga led the team in scoring in two of them. Despite his efforts, his teammates failed to match his intensity. Only Butler and rookie Brandin Podziemski managed to outscore him in two contests.

Though Kerr didn’t trust Kuminga in the starting lineup, the young forward proved he can be a serious threat off the bench against any defense in the league. Still, his performance wasn’t enough to prevent the early playoff exit.

Looking ahead, Kuminga enters a pivotal offseason as he approaches free agency. His recent playoff performances could attract interest from other franchises. With stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and James Harden reportedly exploring new destinations, Kuminga may join a crowded market of high-profile talent.

The Warriors’ season fell short of expectations, plagued by inconsistency and injuries. But with a strong core, there’s still hope for a bounce-back. It’s now up to Kerr and the front office to assess what went wrong, and make the necessary changes to return to championship contention next season.