Maybe a good few anticipated this. Jonathan Kuminga was back for his second game after a month of DNPs, against Klay Thompson and the rather incomplete Dallas Mavericks. But this went sideways before the first half ended. While his long-term status is again up in the air, the hosts have a 55-50 lead over the Golden State Warriors.

Kuminga unexpectedly left the floor during the second quarter. Reports from Anthony Slater of ESPN confirmed that he suffered “an ankle twist and minor knee hyperextension” on the last drive, and that “he’s in pain,” asking to be taken off.

The 23-year-old came off the bench tonight to contribute 10 points in nine minutes with perfect shooting splits. His status was still pending at halftime, and the second half also began without him.

Soon after, the Warriors officially ruled him out for the rest of the game with both ankle and knee injuries. We will have to wait to find out the severity.

A little lighthearted moment occurred as well. Instead of walking all the way to the Dubs bench after the last drive, Kuminga limped straight to the spectators behind the basket, lifted a little girl out of her seat, and took the chair, all to catch a breather. And to say that the girl found it hilarious is an understatement.

Despite his little skit, his injury appeared to be much worse. That puts the Warriors in a dicey position.

Cynics win with Jonathan Kuminga’s injury

The cynics were anticipating this. Being a healthy scratch for more than a dozen games had already plummeted the 23-year-old’s value before he demanded a trade on the first day of eligibility. According to anonymous insiders, Kuminga and his agent had decided to take the L, not play, and keep him injury-free to better his trade chances.

However, Jimmy Butler‘s injury changed that. He’s out for the rest of the season with a torn ACL, and the Warriors needed a forward who could withstand offensive pressure. Kuminga, a natural fit at 6’7″, is able to take a few hits.

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But some didn’t want that. Between Butler’s injury and the next game, social media was full of suggestions ranging from subtly telling Kumnga to be selfish to outrightly telling him to fake an injury. Most want him to spite Kerr, and others want him to sit out until the trade deadline just to end this bitter trade saga.

Kuminga didn’t take those suggestions.

After missing 16 consecutive games, Kerr put him on during the second quarter against the Raptors on January 20. Despite the Warriors’ 127-145 loss, the youngster’s comeback was as emotional as the climax of a sports movie. There was applause while Joe Lacob was halfway on the floor, cheering, and Kerr was praising him.

Almost everything suggested that he’s here to stay.

But an injury changes everything. If Kuminga’s ankle is severely hurt and he has to miss more games, the Warriors will be left scrambling to fill both his and Butler’s spots in the rotation. They need size in the forward position, but their trade pieces are injured and might not guarantee the returns.

How the Dubs navigate Kuminga’s injury now remains to be seen.