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Nothing has been going right for the Golden State Warriors this week. Star forward Jimmy Butler suffered a season-ending ACL tear when the team finally started turning things around. And recently, forward Jonathan Kuminga also went down with an injury following a strong start, right after making his way back into head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation. The team finally got some clarity on his status.

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“[Kuminga] had the left ankle wrapped up, but he said it was the knee that was scarier to him,” ESPN‘s Anthony Slater reported on NBA Today. “It freaked him out a little bit, but he got back there with the doctors. At this point, they’ve ruled anything structural out.”

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Slater explained that from the replay, Kuminga noted the ankle tweak looked normal, but the hyperextension of the left knee was the real issue. Right now, after being seen limping, there’s no solid return date in mind, but thankfully, Slater explained that it “seemed like it’s going to be a short-term thing.”

Kuminga had played exceptionally well after returning to the rotation, logging 20 points on 70% shooting as well as five rebounds against the Toronto Raptors, and a 10-point performance in nine minutes against the Dallas Mavericks with a monstrous +18 in the plus/minus column.

Unfortunately, Kuminga’s night was cut short after a drive went wrong, and he was ruled out after halftime.

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After Butler was done for the season, Kuminga stepped into the inside-scoring role well, and his loss hurts a Warriors team that now lacks an interior presence.

“Generally, the mindset of the team, I’d say emotionally, they’re reeling,” Slater said.

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This complicates the forward’s future as well. For weeks, it was expected that he would be traded come February, and that performance explosion had only boosted his value. However, the latest injury has effectively frozen any trade until he returns.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, that’s not where their troubles end.

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Weather, injuries, and a Golden State Warriors team searching for answers

As if the struggles following Jonathan Kuminga’s injury weren’t enough, the Warriors’ road trip has been complicated by factors beyond their control. Due to a severe winter storm in Dallas expected to bring up to half an inch of ice, the team had to move their flight plan up by four hours, completely scrambling their plans.

“They had to fly early this morning to Minnesota, and they arrive in Minnesota,” Slater reported. “It’s minus 12 degrees here. They’re about to spend five days here in that cold.”

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That disruption matters now more than it usually would. Just yesterday, we saw superstar Stephen Curry admitting the team is still coming to terms with losing Butler for the rest of the season. Kerr has to change his rotations yet again after finally finding a solid starting group, going 10-6 in their recent stretch after largely solidifying Butler, Curry, Draymond Green, Moses Moody, and Quentin Post.

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Now, as the team is again beset by injuries, they need to find answers as their 25-21 season heads towards jeopardy.

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