Warriors rookie Jonathan Kuminga takes big step towards returning

The seventh-overall pick in this year’s draft took a big step towards returning to the court soon.

On Saturday, the Golden State Warriors announced that rookie wing Jonathan Kuminga has been cleared to fully participate in team practices. The team has, however, ruled him out for their next three games. The rookie forward has been out since he strained his right patella tendon in the Dubs second preseason game of the season.

Kuminga remains a significant part of Golden State’s long-term plans after the organization drafted him with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft from the G-League Ignite. Before his injury, Kuminga recorded eight points, four rebounds, and one assist in 17 minutes this preseason. In 13 games with the Ignite last G-League season, Kuminga averaged 15.8 points. 7.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on .387/.246/.625 shooting.

The Warriors have no plans to rely heavily on Kuminga this season, but still just 19, his rookie season offers an excellent opportunity for him to continue developing with the Warriors in practice, garbage time in games, and with their G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz. First, though, Kuminga needs to be healthy. From the sounds of it, he’s taking significant steps towards once again having a clean bill of health.