Fans of the Golden State Warriors were shocked when Steve Kerr decided to bench Jonathan Kuminga during the final stretch of Thursday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.
But Kuminga himself was not a bit surprised to see Kerr tinker with the lineup as the game came to an end.
While speaking with the press after the game, Kuminga told NBC Sports and others that he has grown used to a constantly changing closing lineup.
“It’s tricky. Since I’ve been here, we don’t have just five guys that we know that they’re supposed to be on the floor whenever it’s closing time,” Kuminga said, according to warriorsworld on Twitter.
He added, “It’s a little, I don’t know how to say it, it’s a little weird. I’ve been here for three years now, I’m used to it. I’m never surprised when I see a lineup change at the end of the game or even in the game. It’s a culture thing.”
https://t.co/xl3s7Nagpa pic.twitter.com/Gulz6b5ZVQ
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) January 5, 2024
Kuminga is very accepting of Kerr’s inclination to make big changes to the roster in the final moments of a game.
However, many fans of the team are not.
They were upset when they saw Kuminga get benched on Thursday night, especially because he had scored 16 points during the game.
He is averaging 12.8 points and 4.1 rebounds so far this season and has started in 12 of 33 games.
Kuminga is having his best season yet but that doesn’t guarantee him a spot on the floor when the team needs him most.
Kerr felt that he was making the right call by keeping him benched in the fourth quarter of the game and Kuminga accepted that.
But will Kerr think twice the next time he benches Kuminga?
NEXT: Steve Kerr Explains Notable Jonathan Kuminga Decision Against Nuggets