Warriors head coach Steve Kerr removes Jonathan Kuminga from starting lineup
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr announced roster changes ahead of Wednesday’s game against San Antonio, unveiling a starting five that doesn’t include Jonathan Kuminga, reports Sam Gordon san francisco chronicle.
Jonathan Kuminga exits starting lineup after 6-6 start
Kuminga started the first 12 games of this season after starting just 10 games last season, and Cole said a few weeks ago that he had earned the full-time starting role.
“He’s going to be our starter going forward,” Kerr said before Golden State’s 98-79 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 28. “He’s awesome. We put him in Ja last night [Morant]. We’re going to pit him against James Harden tonight. I think he’s ready. “
Start 5 pic.twitter.com/PREPzNOFG2
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) November 13, 2025
However, Kerr’s thinking has been changed by Golden State’s recent struggles, which saw the team lose five of its last seven games and fall into a six-game losing streak before defeating the Spurs on Wednesday.
The Warriors have four games remaining on their current trip, with a rematch in San Antonio on Friday followed by trips to New Orleans, Orlando and Miami.
“Obviously, we’ve been a little fumbling lately,” Kerr said at his pregame press conference. “I’m obviously watching everything and looking at all the lineup numbers. … There are times this season where it’s clear you’ve got to make some changes.”
The Warriors improved to 7-6 in Kuminga’s first game of the season as a reserve team.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr replaces Kuminga with Will Richard
Kerr replaced Kuminga with rookie shooting guard Will Richard, who joined a starting lineup that included Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
This is the second start of Richard’s career. He played 10 times tonight, averaging 10 points per game, shooting 58.6% from the field and 43.8% from three-point range.
Steve Kerr talks second-round pick Will Richard breaking into Warriors rotation.
“Early in training camp, you could see he really knows how to play. He’s making the right cuts, the right passes, he’s consistent… He’s going to be a big contributor for us this year.” pic.twitter.com/5uRgrBRigF
— Kenzo Fukuda (@kenzofuku) November 10, 2025
After Tuesday’s 24-point loss to Oklahoma City, Green spoke of a “personal agenda” and said not everyone on the team is committed to winning.
While Green didn’t name any players in particular, his comments were likely about Kuminga, whose contract impasse with the Warriors over the summer included a desire for increased salary and more consistent playing time.
Last month, Kuminga finally signed a two-year contract worth $48.5 million with the team. His contract includes a second-year team option with the Golden State Warriors or another team if he is traded.
Perhaps the Warriors will decide to keep Kuminga, as the former first-round pick averaged 13.8 points and career-highs of 6.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 27.7 minutes per game in 13 games.
His free throw percentage (77.1%) is also a career-high.
