Jonathan Kuminga's journey with the Golden State Warriors has seen him fluctuate from an opening-night starter to being out of the rotation entirely, largely due to Steve Kerr's strategic adjustments emphasizing the impact of Jimmy Butler. Kerr acknowledged that with Butler's arrival, the team shifted towards lineups that prioritized spacing and defense, causing Kuminga's minutes to dwindle.

As the playoffs approached, Kuminga found himself sidelined again against the Houston Rockets but made a brief comeback due to Butler's injury. However, with Butler's return, Kuminga was relegated back to the bench. Despite this, his physical attributes and athleticism position him as a valuable option for the Warriors, especially in a pivotal Game 7 where they need to counter Houston's aggressive style.