- - Raptors vs. Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga sees floor after multiple DNPs

Marcus D. Smith, USA TODAYJanuary 21, 2026 at 7:09 AM

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Raptors vs. Warriors: Jonathan Kuminga sees floor after multiple DNPs

SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga finally was called off the bench and into action during a 145-127 loss to the Toronto Raptors at Chase Center on Tuesday night.

On the second night of a back-to-back — with the Warriors now having to go forward without Jimmy Butler, who suffered a season-ending ACL tear Monday night — head coach Steve Kerr said he would look more toward his bench depth, including Kuminga who hadn't played in 16 games due to a coach's decision.

Kuminga received a roar from the Chase Center crowd when he subbed into the game to start the second quarter of the contest.

He finished with 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting in 21 minutes. He added five rebounds and two assists. Teammate Buddy Hield led the team in scoring with 25 points off then bench, including a perfect 6-of-6 from deep, in 19 minutes of play.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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1 / 8Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponentsOct. 26: The Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg dunks the ball past the Toronto Raptors' Sandro Mamukelashvili at the American Airlines Center.How did Jonathan Kuminga play?

The Warriors were down 41-28 after the first quarter before Kuminga was subbed into the game to start the second period.

In his first stint, a little under five minutes, Kuminga missed his only shot attempt: An alley-oop tip-in on a pass from Draymond Green. He was fouled but missed both free throws. He managed to grab two rebounds in his limited action.

His plus/minus was a minus-10 in four minutes and 39 seconds of playing time.

Golden State is looking for a spark from their bench depth after Butler was lost for the season with a torn ACL.

Kerr said the Warriors' win over the Miami Heat that Kuminga could see the floor following Butler's devastating injury.

"Sure, absolutely," Kerr said responding to a question about Kuminga playing against Toronto.

Warriors trailed 91-63 when Kuminga returned to the game at the 6:12 mark of the third quarter.

He scored 12 points in the period, throwing down a ferocious two-handed slam off an alley-oop pass from Green, a couple of mid-range shots through contact and going the length of the court to make a buzzer-beating layup to end the third.

Golden State trailed 108-94 at the end of three quarters. Kuminga played the remainder of the quarter since subbing in at the 6:12 mark and was a plus-4 after the period.

Kuminga played the entire fourth quarter as his play continued to help the Warriors to cut into that huge double-digit deficit. It was cut to as low as 11 points.

However, the Raptors ran the score back up late and held on to win the game.

Jonathan Kuminga 2025-26 regular-season stats

Here are Kuminga's average statistics so far though the 2025-26 regular season, prior to Tuesday's game against the Raptors:

Games played: 18

Minutes: 24.8

Points: 11.8

Rebounds: 6.2

Assists: 2.6

Steals: 0.3

Blocks: 0.3

Field goal %: .431

3-point field goal %: .320

Free throw %: .741

Jonathan Kuminga career stats

These are Kuminga's career averages through five seasons in the NBA, prior to Tuesday's game against the Raptors:

Games played: 276

Minutes: 22.2

Points: 12.5

Rebounds: 4.2

Assists: 1.8

Steals: 0.6

Blocks: 0.4

Field goal %: .502

3-point field goal %: .331

Free throw %: .699

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jonathan Kuminga returns to court in Warriors' loss to Raptors

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