Did we all wait the whole summer for Jonathan Kuminga to finally don a Warriors jersey, only for reporters to now question his efficiency? Jimmy Butler doesn’t think so. The veteran, who was one of the key voices advocating for Kuminga’s addition, still stands by him.

Even after a tough night against the 2024-25 season’s runner-ups, the Pacers, Butler hasn’t lost faith in the young forward’s athleticism or potential, and if anything, he’s ready to sort it all out over dinner rather than debate it with the media.

Jimmy Butler shared with the media the same message he had already given to Kuminga himself. “He’s actually going to come over to my house for dinner right now,” Butler said. “But the thing that I tell you and I tell him — you’re not going to play great every night. You’re not going to play bad every night either. But you don’t ever get too high whenever you score 79 points and you never get too low whenever you score 2.”

The Warriors might’ve cruised to a 114-83 win over the Pacers, but it wasn’t the best night for Jonathan Kuminga. The young forward managed just five points, his lowest output of the season, and couldn’t quite find his rhythm offensively. 

But Butler kept his faith in him, adding, “You stay right in the middle and you keep working. You keep doing what you’re supposed to be doing every single day, and those days, they will even out. So as long as you win, I never care how anybody plays… Who cares? Because there are going to be nights when he has 45 points and it’s going to look like, ‘Oh, look at this,’ but he’s playing well enough.”

It was one of those nights when everything fell into place for the Golden State Warriors- except for Jonathan Kuminga. From the opening tip-off, it was evident that Indiana, missing nine key players, was in for a tough night.

Golden State surged ahead early, led by Butler’s consistent scoring and a stifling defense that limited the Pacers to just 32% shooting in the first quarter. Despite some uneven moments, the Warriors maintained control, gaining momentum as Butler and Moses Moody found their rhythm.

By halftime, Golden State held a 48-41 lead, with Butler contributing 10 points and the supporting cast playing a balanced role. The Pacers fought back, trimming the deficit to just one point in the second quarter, but turnovers and poor shooting hindered their progress. Kuminga finally found his touch with a late fadeaway jumper, but it was far from an ideal performance.

He managed just 1-of-9 shooting for five points, extending a difficult two-game stretch in which he has scored only 11 points overall on 4-of-19 shooting.

Meanwhile, Butler, Al Horford, and rookie Will Richard kept the offense flowing, with the Warriors outscoring Indiana 25-20 in the quarter to stretch their cushion.

From there, Golden State never looked back. After briefly surrendering the lead in the third, they closed that frame on a 10-0 run and absolutely buried Indiana in the fourth.

Butler finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Quinten Post and Brandin Podziemski chipped in strong double-digit efforts. For Kuminga, though, it was another quiet night, one he’ll want to move past quickly.

But Kuminga has shown flashes of brilliance, especially in the absence of Stephen Curry.

Is Kuminga the Warriors’ secret weapon?

Jonathan Kuminga has quietly become one of the Warriors’ most crucial pieces whenever Stephen Curry isn’t on the floor. In a tough 121-116 loss to the Kings, Kuminga showed exactly why the team trusts him, putting up 24 points and tying the game-high with nine rebounds in just 25 minutes.

With Golden State missing their top three players, the pressure to step up was enormous, and Kuminga didn’t shy away. “Jonathan attacked, he was aggressive,” coach Steve Kerr said. “We got him the ball quite a bit. He helped us get off to a great start. Really gave a fantastic effort.”

Even with some late-game turnovers that hurt the Warriors’ chances, Kuminga’s confidence remained unshaken. He admitted, “My mindset is always the same no matter (with or without) Steph, Jimmy, and Draymond. Every time I play with them they want me to be aggressive. My mindset is always the same. Just come in, find a way to win.”

Across multiple games without Curry, Kuminga has consistently delivered, scoring 23 points or more whenever he’s logged at least 29 minutes, including standout efforts against the Nuggets, Kings, and multiple games versus Minnesota.

His per-36 scoring average without Curry is a staggering 26.9 points, putting him in elite company alongside stars like Giannis, Jokic, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Kuminga’s growth isn’t just about scoring. He’s been improving across the board this season, averaging career highs in rebounds (7.1), assists (3.1), three-point accuracy (41.4%), and free-throw percentage (82.5%).

Even if the team hasn’t always converted his heroics into wins, he’s part of a 6-9 record in 15 games without Curry. His aggressive playstyle and scoring consistency highlight his potential as a future star. The Warriors’ struggles without their superstar only underscore how vital Kuminga has become when the team needs someone to carry the load.

So, it seems Kuminga can handle the responsibility, but the next step will be translating his individual brilliance into more team success.