Steve Kerr reveals which Warriors player stepped up the most in Curry’s absence

Stephen Curry was unavailable for Game 3 of the Golden State Warriors’ series against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to injury. In his absence, head coach Steve Kerr pointed to another player who seized the opportunity to step up, sharing his thoughts after the Warriors’ loss to Minnesota.

Although the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm, one key contributor tried to carry the load in Curry’s absence. Jonathan Kuminga delivered a standout performance, finishing with 33 points and 7 assists. His effort on both ends of the floor suggested he was ready for the spotlight, and he answered the call.

On the other side, the Timberwolves capitalized with a dominant showing. Anthony Edwards led the way with 36 points, while two other Minnesota players also finished in double figures. The win gave the Wolves control of the series, but Kuminga’s emergence suggests it’s far from over for Golden State.

Following the game, Kerr praised Kuminga’s impact off the bench, highlighting his growth and importance in the Warriors’ playoff campaign. The head coach didn’t hold back in complimenting the 21-year-old’s performance.

Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors.

“Jonathan Kuminga played one of the best games of his life. It was fantastic to see. You can see how necessary he is in this matchup,“ Kerr told reporters after the loss.

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Kuminga’s impact extends beyond a favorable matchup

Warriors head coach had high praise for Jonathan Kuminga after the game, emphasizing that his strong showing against the Timberwolves wasn’t an isolated incident. Kerr highlighted Kuminga’s consistent effort and growth over the past few weeks, finally starting to pay off on the court.

“I’ve just been impressed with how he’s handled things the last couple of weeks, the way he stayed ready… and it paid off tonight,” Kerr said of Kuminga’s performance in the latest clash with Minnesota.

Kuminga credits butler for on-court growth

Although the Warriors fell short against the Timberwolves, Kuminga was clear in acknowledging Jimmy Butler’s influence on his game. He spoke about Butler’s leadership and his critical role in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semifinals.

“I think just being around him, playing off of him, knowing what he wants, and talking to him more during the game, it’s helped a lot. I’ve been watching how everyone moves around him, how they play off him… It was just a matter of time. I think this is the most I’ve ever played with Jimmy,” Kuminga said.