NBA scores: Jonathan Kuminga, Steph Curry lead Warriors past Suns

After falling back to .500 with another loss on Friday night, the Golden State Warriors hosted Phoenix Suns on Saturday night to complete a difficult back-to-back. And they faced a franchise legend and one of the greatest forwards in NBA history: Kevin Durant.

But while Durant got his due, it was the Warriors’ homegrown forward — the player they’ve hoped can replace KD’s contributions — who shone brightest on Saturday. In a game filled with future Hall of Famers, it was Jonathan Kuminga who shone the brightest.

Kuminga also played on Friday, as one of the team’s lone bright spots. After the game, Steve Kerr spoke openly about how Warriors coaches brainstormed ways for Kuminga to still shine even when Steph Curry is healthy, as most of the fourth-year wing’s best games have come with his superstar teammate absent.

At least for one night, Kuminga, Curry and the coaching staff found a solution. Kuminga was a dynamic force from the moment he first stepped on, getting wherever he wanted on the field with a combination of athleticism, brute force, shifty footwork, strong ball handling, well-timed cuts and, at times, sheer will. He knocked down 12-of-20 shots en route to 34 points, and once again lived at the free throw line, shooting 8-for-12 … over his last six games, Kuminga has averaged 9.5 free throws. throw attempts per game, an elite mark that has helped keep the offense afloat.

He was essentially the entire bench presence for the Warriors. Kevon Looney and Kyle Anderson earned DNP CDs, while Moses Moody and Gary Payton II were sidelined by injuries. Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski were both held scoreless (albeit the latter in just 11 minutes as he left with a mild injury), and Lindy Waters III’s three points were the only bench points scored by someone other than Kuminga.

But unlike Friday, when Kuminga’s contributions stood out against an ugly starting lineup, the Warriors’ starters were ready to go. Steph Curry and Draymond Green returned after a one-game absence and both shined. Curry didn’t have his best statistical game — he needed 22 shots for 22 points and turned the ball over five times — but his shot-making was timely and he felt completely in control. Green posted a brilliant line, finishing with 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block while shooting 6-for-9 from the field. Trayce Jackson-Davis started at center and shined with 16 points and 10 rebounds, and the other two starters (Andrew Wiggins and Dennis Schröder) played much better than their stat lines would indicate.

However, it was the collective effort on Durant that really shined through, with Green, Wiggins and Kuminga all doing a brilliant job. KD still scored 31 points, but he shot just 10-for-24 from the field and turned the ball over eight times. That, combined with the absences of Devin Booker (injury) and Jusuf Nurkić (suspension), was enough for the Warriors to pull out a 109-105 victory.

Unlike recent games, the Dubs played better down the stretch of this one. They trailed by five points entering the final quarter, but outscored Phoenix 27-18 in the fourth. With the win, the Warriors move back over .500 with a record of 16-15. They get a day off before hosting Cleveland Cavaliers Monday evening.