Jonathan Kuminga's knee issue continues, pushing his Hawks debut back. Fans await his potential impact after a significant trade and recent setback.
The Atlanta Hawks completed a trade with the Golden State Warriors just before the deadline, acquiring forward Jonathan Kuminga in exchange for Kristaps Porziņģis.
Kuminga, 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds, has yet to suit up for Atlanta. The 23-year-old forward sustained a left knee bone bruise on Jan. 22 while playing for Golden State at Dallas and has been sidelined since.
The Hawks provided an update on his status.
“Forward Jonathan Kuminga, who sustained a left knee bone bruise while playing for Golden State at Dallas on Jan. 22, is progressing in his rehabilitation,” the team said. “He will be re-evaluated in approximately one week, and an update will be provided at that time.”
While there had been optimism that Kuminga could return following the All-Star break, the latest update makes clear that he remains in the rehabilitation phase and is not yet ready to make his Hawks debut.
The 23-year-old, born in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo, was selected by Golden State with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He made his NBA debut on Oct. 30, 2021, and quickly carved out a role with his athleticism and ability to attack the rim. Kuminga was part of the Warriors’ 2022 championship team and has steadily increased his responsibilities over the course of his four-plus seasons in the league.
This season, Kuminga has appeared in 20 games, averaging 12.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists while shooting 45.4% from the field and 32.1% from 3-point range. For his career, he is averaging 12.5 points and 4.2 rebounds across 278 games, shooting just over 50% from the field. His physical tools and ability to score in transition have long made him an intriguing developmental piece.
For Atlanta, the trade represented a calculated move to add youth and versatility to the frontcourt. When healthy, Kuminga projects as a complementary piece alongside Jalen Johnson, who has emerged as one of the Hawks’ primary offensive initiators. Johnson’s playmaking ability paired with Kuminga’s slashing and defensive length could provide lineup flexibility on both ends of the floor.
However, that vision remains on hold until Kuminga is cleared to return. Atlanta enters the stretch run of the season at 26-30 and positioned near the bottom half of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Consistency has been an issue at times, and the Hawks are seeking defensive stability and secondary scoring to help solidify their rotation.
Kuminga’s eventual availability could address both areas. His size and athleticism give Atlanta another capable wing defender, and his downhill scoring could ease pressure on the team’s primary creators. But before any on-court fit can be evaluated, the focus remains on recovery.
For now, Kuminga’s timeline remains week to week as he continues progressing through rehabilitation, with another update expected in approximately one week.