The Golden State Warriors had their backs against the wall as they faced the New Orleans Pelicans without their superstar Stephen Curry and seasoned scorer Andrew Wiggins. Down two key players, head coach Steve Kerr had to dig deep into his bag of strategies—and the results were nothing short of impressive.
Kerr’s critical decision to shift Jonathan Kuminga to the bench, promoting Moses Moody to the starting lineup, turned heads before tipoff. In Kuminga’s contract year, and despite his early-season expectations as the second-leading scorer, Kerr prioritized court spacing over traditional roles. It was a gutsy call that emphasized flexibility and floor spacing, allowing the Warriors to rally from an early deficit and secure a massive comeback victory.
Without their usual offensive anchors, the Warriors needed a lineup capable of spacing out the Pelicans’ formidable frontcourt trio of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Herb Jones. Kerr saw an opening to inject energy and versatility by bringing Kuminga off the bench and building a lineup that could keep New Orleans on its toes.
“I told [Kuminga] before the game: ‘You’re going to play a lot. This is just about combinations and getting more spacing,’” Kerr said postgame, explaining his calculated move. He was clear with Kuminga that the change didn’t lessen his role in the game plan but rather set the team up for a more balanced start.
The strategy paid off, with Kuminga providing a much-needed spark off the bench, scoring 17 points on 6-of-13 shooting, dishing out three assists, and adding two steals and one block in a season-high 28 minutes. It was a breakout performance, especially after a slow start to the season, where he averaged only eight points on 33.3% shooting in his first three games. Kerr’s tactical switch also allowed the Warriors to maintain control over the Pelicans’ imposing interior players while keeping the floor open for other scoring opportunities.
While Kerr’s move gave the Warriors a significant win, Kuminga’s evolving role remains a situation to watch. Despite Golden State’s high hopes, Kuminga and the Warriors did not reach an extension agreement, and he has much to prove this season.
For now, the Warriors can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that Kerr’s flexibility and tactical shift helped them get the job done without two of their core players. But as they look ahead, the handling of Kuminga’s role and his contract year status will be crucial to sustaining this momentum.
