Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga addressed his relationship with head coach Steve Kerr following Tuesday’s 131-118 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
“I wouldn’t want to be the problem to mess it up,” Kuminga told Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard in the locker room. “I’m growing. I’m in my fifth year now. I know what winning means. And I know what I want to get — winning a championship.”
Kuminga dismissed any notions of tension between him and Kerr. “There is no bad blood or anything like that. I don’t think there was ever bad blood. It’s just all the narrative, all the talking around outside. But we’re good. We’re good,” he said.
The 23-year-old forward emphasized the importance of communication with Kerr, noting he wants to be held accountable and coached directly. “I think we’re just staying on top of communications, me and him — things that I feel or see out there or things that he sees. Our communication has been great, figuring out things,” Kuminga added.
He also shared how he has requested Kerr’s guidance during games. “I’d love you to coach me as hard as you can. Just coach me. Just don’t go away from me, just coach me. No matter the circumstance. I do something bad that I don’t need to do, don’t go away from me. Come tell me that,” Kuminga said.
Kuminga has started the 2025-26 season strong, averaging 16.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game over five outings. He recorded a season-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in the win against Memphis and has shown consistent scoring efficiency, shooting 53.7% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range in October.
The forward signed a two-year, $48.5 million extension with the Warriors on September 30, following a prolonged restricted free agency that had limited the team’s roster flexibility.
