SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors on Monday avoided an injury scare for one of their best young players. Jonathan Kuminga was seen with thick tape wrapped around his right thumb and wrist during Tuesday’s practice, and during a post-practice 3-on-3 session that included players and coaches, he wore his right hand while shooting. I wasn’t using it.
However, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the scene was nothing to worry about. Kuminga missed the contact portion of Tuesday’s practice, pressing his thumb against the backboard while trying to get a rebound or block a shot that Kerr remembers.
“He said he didn’t feel anything when it happened because of the adrenaline,” Carr said Tuesday. “It hurt overnight. It’s nothing serious, he’ll be fine.”
Kuminga is expected to make a big leap in his third year as a pro, and he showed glimpses of that belief in Saturday night’s preseason opener. The newly converted 21-year-old forward scored a game-high 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting and added four assists. He made 4 of 8 3-pointers and 4 of 5 from the free throw line.
Rebounding continued to focus on Kuminga’s development, which carried over to the court. Kuminga led both teams with eight rebounds, all of which came on defense.
Veteran point guard Chris Paul also sat out the contact portion of Tuesday’s practice as a precautionary day of rest. He played 13 minutes on Saturday and finished his Warriors debut with six points, five assists and four rebounds. Kerr said Paul had a “great workout” on Tuesday before resting the rest of the day.
The Warriors held high-intensity practices and scrimmages for the second day in a row. Wednesday will be a light day, and Kerr doesn’t expect Kuminga or Paul to be limited.
Both players are scheduled to play Friday night in the Warriors’ second preseason game against the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
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