It does feel weird to write on “Is Kuminga playing tonight?” after what has happened over the past couple of months. Keeping everything aside, the Golden State Warriors and Jonathan Kuminga are now entering the 2025-26 NBA season with renewed stability. Kuminga ended up signing a two-year deal, worth $48.5 million. The deal includes a team option for the second season. But that’s a later discussion. Right now, will HC Kerr give Kuminga his playing minutes?

The roster now is set. The Warriors are just coming out of their training camp at the Oracle Performance Center at Chase Center in San Francisco. As the team heads into tonight’s preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Warriors are poised to showcase their depth and cohesion, but eyes are on Kuminga. But as of now, Jonathan Kuminga’s participation remains uncertain. So, who all will suit up?

Yes, the head coach, Steve Kerr, did emphasize the importance of integrating younger talents like Kuminga, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski into the rotation, aiming to reduce the workload on the veteran core of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. Kerr has already indicated that nearly every player will see action in the preseason, albeit under minutes restrictions. But…

Kuminga’s status, however, is still up for assumptions. The young star did miss the early training camp sessions, but he finally attended the day 3 of the camp. Despite this, there has been no official confirmation regarding his availability for tonight’s game. The ESPN injury tracker doesn’t include him in the injury report, though. Here’s how the Warriors’ starting lineup may look:

From a fan’s perspective, tonight’s preseason game will be the first real glimpse of how the entire roster will gel after an eventful offseason. While his exact role remains speculative, the team emphasizes blending experience with youthful energy. It suggests that Kuminga will play a significant part in the Warriors‘ plans for the upcoming season. On the Lakers’ side, the absence of LeBron and Luka shifts the focus to the younger roster to take on a larger offensive and leadership role.

Where to watch the Warriors vs. the Lakers preseason game

Fans eager to catch the action can watch the game live on the ESPN app in the U.S., while international viewers can tune in via NBA League Pass. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM PDT/8:30 p.m. ET at Chase Center, San Francisco, giving supporters an early opportunity to see how this new-look Warriors team is shaping up heading into the 2025-26 season.

On top of that, the Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr, has openly expressed his enthusiasm for the duo of Al Harford, whom they signed in late September, and JK. “With JK, we want to give him space when he’s got the ball. Al can do that. So, if JK’s at the four, Al’s at the five, and we put shooters around those guys, that could be an interesting combination,” Kerr said. Tonight’s preseason clash will openly showcase the Al Horford and Jonathan Kuminga pairing.

Kuminga, 22, has never truly had a chance to play alongside a quality, starting-caliber stretch five throughout his first four seasons. Even last season, Kuminga spent much of his time sidelined, missing 30 games with an ankle injury. That was when rookie center Quinten Post emerged late. With Horford now in Golden State, the possibilities have evolved.

New addition, Horford’s ability to spot up beyond the arc complements Kuminga’s downhill driving style. How Kerr manages minutes for the duo will be fascinating, especially given that he may be hesitant to run a big five that includes Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green at the same time. While Horford is projected to average around 25 minutes per game as the assumed starting center, Kuminga’s role remains more fluid.