News Warriors Team Notes

[Golden State Warriors]

Steve Kerr Gets Honest About Jonathan Kuminga Playing In Game 7

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors fans haven’t seen much of Jonathan Kuminga lately, and many of them are upset about that.

But will it change soon, particularly in the must-win Game 7 against the Houston Rockets on Sunday?

Speaking with Brett Siegel and the press, head coach Steve Kerr talked about Kuminga playing in Game 7, and he definitely left the door open for it.

“It’s 100% on the table… We feel like we have a great chance to go down there and win Game 7,” Kerr said, per Legion Hoops.

Steve Kerr on playing Jonathan Kuminga in Game 7:

“It's 100% on the table… We feel like we have a great chance to go down there and win Game 7.”

(via @BrettSiegelNBA) pic.twitter.com/XEM7Jzsw1y

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 3, 2025

Kuminga didn’t play at all during Game 6, which isn’t that surprising because he has only appeared in two games during the playoffs.

During those matches, Kuminga has averaged 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.

It has been a complicated and unpredictable season for Kuminga, who is averaging 24.3 minutes during his 47 games.

He only started in 10 games, which is a major decrease from last year, when he started in 46.

There has been a lot of speculation about Kuminga and his future with the Warriors.

Some people feel that Kerr has soured on the young star, and the fact that he doesn’t get many minutes or participate in as many games proves that, according to them.

Even if he gets some minutes in Game 7, many people will still assume that he will be leaving the Warriors in the summer.

Where will he go, and what could the team get in exchange for him?

Those are questions that will be asked during the offseason.

Before that happens, he might get a chance to shine during Game 7.

And if the team doesn’t win and move to the second round, this could be the last time that fans see him in a Warriors jersey.

The post Steve Kerr Gets Honest About Jonathan Kuminga Playing In Game 7 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/steve-kerr-gets-honest-about-jonathan-kuminga-playing-in-game-7/

 

[Golden State Warriors]

Stephen Curry Gets Honest About Rockets’ Defense On Sunday

(Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors will live another day.

They will pack their bags and hit the road to square off with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

The Timberwolves won’t be an easy opponent, but Stephen Curry must be thrilled that he won’t have to play the Houston Rockets anymore.

Following Golden State’s Game 7 win at Houston, the four-time NBA champion tipped his hat to the Rockets.

“That was one of the toughest defenses I think I’ve ever faced,” Curry said, via ESPN. “The physicality that was allowed early in the series and then their commitment to just trying to take away all the patterns that we usually thrive off of and guard me in half court at times. It was wild.”

Playing with an injured thumb, Curry excelled in the first three games of the series before Houston’s defensive adjustments made him drop his production significantly.

Amen Thompson did an outstanding job of hounding him the length of the court, making the most of his height advantage and not giving him any space to move.

Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet also banged him over and over.

It takes an otherworldly effort to stay in front of Curry, who never stops moving and cutting through screens, but the Rockets did a solid job.

But there’s no such thing as shutting him down.

They held him to just three points in the first half of Game 7, but he was still a major factor with his playmaking.

He burst out down the stretch and finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

The Timberwolves don’t have as many bullies as the Rockets do, but they will try to play the same type of defense against him.

The post Stephen Curry Gets Honest About Rockets’ Defense On Sunday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/stephen-curry-gets-honest-about-rockets-defense-on-sunday/

 

[Golden State Warriors]

Warriors HC Praises Buddy Hield For ‘Two-Way Performance’

(Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

For years, the Golden State Warriors had Game 6 Klay (Thompson).

Now, they have Game 7 Buddy (Hield).

The shooting guard was on an absolute tear from start to finish against the Houston Rockets.

He exploded for 22 points in the first half, including a logo 3-pointer to close out the first quarter.

However, as much as those offensive outbursts helped the victory, head coach Steve Kerr also said Hield’s defense was fundamental in the victory.

“I thought his defense was tremendous tonight, too,” Kerr said, via ESPN. “One of the keys to the game was Fred VanVleet only got two free throws. Fred has just destroyed us the last three games. He’s had an amazing series. He completely flipped things with his play. Buddy did a great job on him. So, this was not just a lights-out shooting performance for Buddy, it was a two-way performance.”

Notably, Hield isn’t known for his defensive prowess, but he was all over the court.

He altered shots, stayed in front of guys, tipped passes and knocked down big buckets.

With VanVleet, Dillon Brooks and Amen Thompson harassing and suffocating Stephen Curry the length of the court, Hield was the only Warriors’ long-range scorer who consistently kept making them pay.

He finished the game with 33 points to keep the Warriors’ season alive.

Now, the biggest challenge will be to sustain that level of production going forward.

Hield has already shown what he’s capable of, as he’s been one of the most efficient 3-point shooters since he entered the NBA, but he can go ice-cold as rapidly as he gets red-hot.

If he can keep this momentum going and knock down shots in the next round, the Warriors might have an edge and a legitimate X-factor to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves and reach the Western Conference Finals.

The post Warriors HC Praises Buddy Hield For ‘Two-Way Performance’ appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/warriors-hc-praises-buddy-hield-for-two-way-performance/

 

[Golden State Warriors]

Steve Kerr Praises Key Warriors Player For Defense Against Timberwolves

(Photo by Loren Elliott/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors lost Steph Curry during Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, but they still walked away with a major victory.

That was partly because of Draymond Green, who again showed the world why he is such a defensive monster for the Warriors.

Following the game, Steve Kerr spoke at length about Green and his talents.

“Draymond [Green] was doing what Draymond’s been doing for whatever how many years he’s been in this league,” Kerr said, via NBA on X. “He’s the best defensive player I’ve seen in my life. He was everywhere. He was guarding everyone. He makes our defense go. He makes the game much easier for all of the other guys.”

"He's the best defensive player I've ever seen in my life."

Steve Kerr gives major props postgame to @Money23Green after his Game 1 defensive performance

pic.twitter.com/97da9QHX6I

— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2025

Losing Curry is never a good thing, and the impact it had on the Warriors was clear.

But the team wasn’t taken out of the running without Curry, and they pulled off a strong win on the road.

Green pushed his squad forward with his blend of resilient offense and suffocating defense.

As Kerr said, this is what Green has done since the start of his career.

Many people critique Green and his attitude and on-court antics, but no one can deny that he is one of the most driven players in the entire league.

He is someone who just does not give up and pours 100 percent of himself into every game.

This rubs off on his teammates and helps them stay firmly planted in the game, even when they lose their biggest star.

The news about Curry is not good, and Warriors fans are nervous about what’s next.

But Green’s performance on Tuesday gave them something to believe in.

The post Steve Kerr Praises Key Warriors Player For Defense Against Timberwolves appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/steve-kerr-praises-key-warriors-player-for-defense-against-timberwolves/

 

[Golden State Warriors]

Jimmy Butler Reveals How Stephen Curry’s Absence Impacted Game 1

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors snatched a crucial Game 1 win in their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But what should have been a moment of celebration quickly turned into concern after Stephen Curry suffered a hamstring injury.

His early exit thrust Jimmy Butler into a spotlight he wasn’t expecting to occupy so soon.

Butler delivered a solid 20-point performance in the victory, but his postgame comments revealed just how much the Warriors rely on their superstar teammate.

“We want Steph back. I’ll tell you that. It’s hard playing without that man,” Butler said, via “NBA on TNT.” “… Steph is our best player, and the game is much easier when we got him.”

"That Steph is our best player, and the game is much easier when we've got him."

Jimmy tells @laurenjbara what he learned from the @warriors' Game 1 win

pic.twitter.com/RSTnkNsuc7

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 7, 2025

The injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Warriors.

Curry showed visible discomfort early in the second quarter when he began limping and signaled to the bench before heading straight to the locker room.

He did not return to the game and will not play in Game 2.

The Warriors now face the real possibility of navigating the rest of the 2025 NBA Playoffs without their franchise cornerstone.

Since arriving in a trade with the Miami Heat, Butler formed a strong connection with Curry both on and off the court.

Butler has embraced his supporting role, often describing himself as Robin to Curry’s Batman.

His focus has primarily been on complementing his teammate’s brilliance and filling gaps where needed.

Now the script has flipped. With Curry potentially sidelined, Butler must step into a leading role that demands more than complementary play.

The post Jimmy Butler Reveals How Stephen Curry’s Absence Impacted Game 1 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/jimmy-butler-reveals-how-stephen-currys-absence-impacted-game-1/

 

[Golden State Warriors]

Concerning Details Emerge About Steph Curry’s Injury

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

A dark cloud looms over the Golden State Warriors‘ championship dreams as Stephen Curry remains sidelined with a hamstring injury.

The superstar guard finally addressed his condition after suffering a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during the Golden State Warriors’ 99-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Many fans had hoped Curry might return if the series extended beyond four games. Those hopes took a serious hit when the eight time All Star shared a sobering update about his recovery timeline.

ESPN reporter Ohm Youngmisuk delivered the concerning news:

“Asked if he will get to a point where he will have to fight the urge to potentially try to come back too soon, Steph Curry said he is a ways away from that point. He said he isn’t able to take stationary shots right now. Just doing ‘a lot’ of treatment.”

Asked if he will get to a point where he will have to fight the urge to potentially try to come back too soon, Steph Curry said he is a ways away from that point. He said he isn't able to take stationary shots right now. Just doing "a lot" of treatment.

— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) May 8, 2025

The Golden State Warriors announced Curry will be reevaluated in one week, ruling him out for Games 2 through 4 at minimum.

Despite this major setback, the team showed remarkable resilience by securing an impressive road victory in Game 1 without their floor general.

With Curry watching from the sidelines, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green will shoulder greater responsibility on both offense and defense.

Buddy Hield’s shooting touch becomes especially valuable for the Warriors’ offense during this stretch.

As Butler draws defensive attention, Hield’s perimeter scoring ability could provide the spacing Golden State desperately needs to remain competitive.

Though the Warriors proved they can win without their superstar, their title aspirations ultimately depend on Curry’s return.

His unmatched ability to transform games through elite shooting and playmaking makes him irreplaceable in playoff basketball.

The post Concerning Details Emerge About Steph Curry’s Injury appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/concerning-details-emerge-about-steph-currys-injury/

 

[Golden State Warriors]

Monta Ellis Has Honest Admission About Being Traded From Warriors

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The NBA is a tough business, and sometimes people are hurt.

Monta Ellis knows that all too well and spoke about how he was burned by the Golden State Warriors at the height of his career.

Talking to the “Out The Mud” podcast, Ellis got real about how it felt to be traded by the Warriors.

“I love Golden State, you know what I mean? They gave me my opportunity. The way it went down is what really hurt me or affected me. And it’s similar to what happened to Luka Doncic,” Ellis said, via Legion Hoops.

Monta Ellis on being traded from the Warriors:

“I love Golden State, you know what I mean? They gave me my opportunity. The way it went down is what really hurt me or affected me. And it’s similar to what happened to Luka Doncic.”

(via @OutTheMudTL) pic.twitter.com/P1ZAMKgXi0

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 9, 2025

Ellis spent his first few seasons playing for the Warriors after being drafted by them in 2005.

During his seven seasons with Golden State, he averaged 19.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists.

Ellis was a major part of the franchise, a winner of Most Improved Player, and one of the most exciting guards in the league.

But then the Warriors traded him in March of 2012, sending him to the Milwaukee Bucks for Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson.

At the time, some Warriors fans were upset, not understanding why they had to say goodbye to Ellis.

Ultimately, it worked out well for Golden State because they were assembling the team that would eventually win them championships.

Ellis knows that it wasn’t personal and the Warriors were simply doing what they felt was best, but he was still hurt at the time.

It’s the same thing that happened to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks, according to Ellis, and it’ll likely sting for a long time.

The post Monta Ellis Has Honest Admission About Being Traded From Warriors appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/monta-ellis-has-honest-admission-about-being-traded-from-warriors/