LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Butler scored 31 points and was 16-for-16 from the free throw line, but don’t stop the presses.
While the two stars delivered again for the Golden State Warriors in a 119-109 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Oct. 22, it was another player on the NBA’s opening night that warranted special attention.
Making a surprise start, he scored 17 points on 6-for-11 shooting from the floor, had a team-high nine rebounds and six assists, one shy of his career high. He also was 4-for-6 from 3-point range.
Asked to describe his performance against the Lakers, Kuminga said it was ‘decent.’
That prompted looks of amusement in the interview room. Draymond Green called Kuminga a star, and Curry and Butler also spoke about him in glowing terms.
Entering his fifth NBA season, Kuminga looks like the potential missing piece for a team that relies heavily – perhaps too heavily – on its aging stars. Butler is 36 and Curry is 37.
Last year Kuminga fell out of the Warriors rotation. On Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena, it was hard to fathom.
He guarded Luka Doncic, who scored a game-high 43 points. But he played well enough for the Warriors to eschew double teams.
‘I think he just has a better sense of what’s needed now compared to the past years,’ Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.
If the Warriors hope to contend for a championship, they’ll need Kuminga more than ever.
A mentor emerges for Warriors
Butler has become a mentor for Kuminga.
‘I just want to help JK be great,’ Butler said. ‘… We’ve been kickin’ it. Hanging out. Watching film and just working on our game together. I know how great he wants to be and how great he can be.’
Kuminga said his time with Butler has helped and explained what he’s getting.
‘Just his knowledge of the game, as much as he knows,’ he said.
Kerr said he’s seen the impact.
‘I think Jimmy has really helped him too,’ Kerr said. ‘Jimmy has really talked him out a lot during (preseason) camp. He’s taken him aside after practices.’
More than a mentor
Butler’s contributions to the team on the court transcend the box score, according to Kerr.
‘He provides that stability and the ability to foul to go to line and settle the game down,’ Kerr said. ‘He never turns the ball over so he just controls some game out there.’
Draymond and Curry create chaos, Kerr noted.
‘… the chaos is really powerful, it can also get away from us,’ Kerr added. ‘Jimmy just settles us down.’