Incident Overview
In an unfortunate turn of events for the Golden State Warriors, forward Jonathan Kuminga was dismissed from their preseason contest against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday evening for making contact with a referee during an argument over a call. This incident occurred just before halftime at the Moda Center, marking a premature end to his night on the court.
Details of the Ejection
During the closing moments of the second quarter, Kuminga attempted a layup as time was winding down but failed to convert. Frustrated after not receiving a foul call for what he believed was contact in the paint, he confronted the officials. This confrontation escalated, resulting in an immediate technical foul and ejection when he made contact with one of the referees.
Performance and Contract Situation
In his 18 minutes on the floor, the 23-year-old Kuminga contributed seven points, six rebounds, and four assists to the scoreboard. This game was his third of the preseason, following a tumultuous offseason that included a drawn-out negotiation process leading to a recent signing of a two-year contract worth $48.5 million. This deal ended speculation surrounding his future with the team and means he will be trade eligible in January, an option that the Warriors are reportedly considering.
Background and Previous Season
Kuminga, who was drafted seventh overall by the Warriors in the 2021 NBA Draft, faced challenges last season due to an ankle injury but managed to return in time for the playoffs. In the previous season, he averaged 15.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game with a three-point shooting percentage of 30.5%.
Upcoming Matches
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers concluded the first half with a 61-56 advantage as they seek to improve upon last season’s disappointing 36-46 record that left them outside of playoff contention. Their regular season is set to kick off on October 22 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors, after this preseason encounter, are slated to begin their regular campaign a day earlier, facing the Los Angeles Lakers on October 21. This ongoing preseason and the implications of Kuminga’s ejection have set the tone for the Warriors’ offseason transitions and upcoming matches.
Conclusion
Further updates regarding Kuminga’s situation and the game will follow shortly.
