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Plenty of people were counting out the Golden State Warriors when the new NBA season started, but they have gotten off to a very solid start. They hold a 4-2 record, and people are starting to realize that the team has at least an outside shot at getting to the NBA Finals this coming June. Yes, the Warriors have an aged roster, as Stephen Curry is 37 years of age, Jimmy Butler is 36, Draymond Green is 35 and center Al Horford is 39. But they do have depth, and a number of their supporting players are young and athletic. Having forward Jonathan Kuminga, who is just 23 years old, back has been huge for Golden State. Butler identified Kuminga as a big key to the Warriors’ fine play and their championship hopes. “He’s major,” Butler said of Kuminga. “He’s key in what we’re trying to do this season on both sides of the floor. I love it when he’s guarding at a high level. Love it more if he’s making plays, scoring, rebounding, all that good stuff. He’s been playing off the charts to start this year. I want him to keep going, keep being aggressive, keep attacking, keep taking that challenge on the defensive end. We as a whole need him to do just that.” “He’s key in what we’re trying to do this season. On both sides of the floor… He’s been playing off the charts to start this year.”Jimmy Butler III on Jonathan Kuminga pic.twitter.com/SG3zZz4U8C— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) October 29, 2025 Read more: Draymond Green Makes Stunning Statement About NBA’s Eastern Conference Although the Warriors lost 120-110 on Thursday to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, Kuminga’s strong play kept them in the game until the final minutes. He had 24 points on 7-of-11 field-goal shooting, eight rebounds, four assists and one block, and on the season, he’s averaging 17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists a game. SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 27: Jonathan Kuminga #1 of the Golden State Warriors goes up for a dunk on Cedric Coward #23 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on October 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) He supplies the Warriors with some badly-needed athleticism and bounce, and so far this season, he has shot 45% from 3-point range, which is a major improvement in that category. In four previous seasons, he made 33.2% of his 3-point attempts, and last season, he was at just 30.5% from that distance. The depth that Kuminga and others give Golden State allows head coach Steve Kerr to keep Curry, Butler and Green at a manageable number of minutes that will keep them fresh throughout the season and lower their risk of injury. Read more: Clippers’ Chris Paul’s NBA Future Receives Major Update With Curry continuing to play at the level he has consistently been at over the past decade-plus, don’t be surprised to see Golden State playing for the NBA championship in about seven months. For more on the Warriors and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
