Wizards Vs Hawks: Jonathan Kuminga’s 24-minute debut forced a reckoning with Steve Kerr
Jonathan Kuminga made his long-awaited Atlanta Hawks debut on Tuesday evening in a game labeled Wizards Vs Hawks, and the fifth-year swingman used 24 minutes to stake a claim for a second chance in the NBA.
Early career framed by Golden State and a tough hand
Kuminga, a G League Ignite product drafted seventh overall in 2021, arrived in Atlanta after a start to his career that teammates and observers called difficult. Draymond Green said Kuminga was dealt a poor hand to start his career; Kuminga spent his rookie season as part of a Finals-winning squad and then remained in a supporting role rather than getting room to make mistakes and grow.
Clashes with Steve Kerr and the trade to Atlanta
After a successful third season in a limited role, Kuminga expected a larger part in the offense under coach Steve Kerr, but that integration never materialized. The two clashed over 18 long months, with Kerr making multiple public comments at Kuminga’s expense while Kuminga never returned to his third-year peak. Eventually Kuminga was shipped to Atlanta for pennies on the dollar.
Bench spark: how Kuminga changed the game
Kuminga entered the game as the sixth man halfway through the first quarter and immediately impacted the stat sheet. On his first possession he logged an assist, followed a minute later with an easy transition layup and another minute after that with a transition dunk. By the end of the first quarter he had 7 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists and a steal.
Wizards Vs Hawks: a quiet second quarter, an explosive third
The second quarter was quieter: Kuminga grabbed two rebounds and did not record a shot attempt in that period. In the third quarter, checking in at the halfway point of the period, the debutant erupted for a quick 18 points, added 2 rebounds and another steal, turning a brief appearance into a sustained offensive burst in 24 minutes of action.
Debut takeaway and what comes next
The Hawks debut left Kuminga smiling and offered a concrete rebuttal to those who questioned his role in Golden State, with the game labeled Wizards Vs Hawks serving as the platform for that rebuttal. The next scheduled game is unclear in the provided context.
