Steve Kerr explains how Gary Payton II injury will impact Jonathan Kuminga

03/28/2025 10:19 AM

The Warriors head coach will ask Jonathan Kuminga to take on the toughest assignments in Payton's absence.

The Golden State Warriors will not be able to turn to defensive stopper Gary Payton II in the near future after he suffered a torn ligament in his left thumb. With his top perimeter defender unavailable, Dubs head coach Steve Kerr spoke to reporters about how that will shift his defensive strategy going forward. He focused primarily on young wing Jonathan Kuminga.

"Well, it opens up an opportunity for JK [Jonathan Kuminga] to be that defensive stopper – the guy we've relied on Gary [Payton II] to be," Kerr told reporters on Thursday. "JK is the obvious guy. Put him on the best offensive player, pick up full, harass people like Gary does. I'm gonna ask JK to do that, and it definitely opens up more minutes for him if he's effective with that. And then again it's mix and match game to game depending on whose playing well and how we're playing."

Payton's injury comes at a particularly inopportune time for him. Over his previous 16 games, he had averaged more than 10 points per game alongside 50% shooting from three. He had also seemed to finally break out of the injury bug which had limited him over the past couple of seasons. Now, slated for free agency following the year, it's unclear whether Payton will be able to return to the floor in time to boost his value.

On the flip side, for Kuminga, Kerr now has one fewer trusted veteran role player to turn to in the rotation. It's no secret that the 22-year old has been feeling the pressure of his impending restricted free agency, and has often pressed when unsure of his role. Now, Kerr's ask seems fairly clear, take the challenge of tough defensive assignments head on, and let the rest take care of itself.