Early returns show forward Jonathan Kuminga boosts the Hawks’ second unit
The early returns on the addition of Jonathan Kuminga to the Hawks’ rotation look pretty good.
Kuminga has played in only three games in a Hawks uniform. But since he has made his debut, he’s injected energy into the rotation on both ends of the floor.
Through three games, the 23-year-old forward has scored 20 or more points in two of his three outings, including a 27-point debut, against the Wizards, on Feb. 24. He has averaged a career-best 21.3 points across 27 minutes per game. He’s also posted a career-high 7.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. He’s done all of that while shooting 67.7% from the floor, including 55.6% on his 3-point attempts.
“I think he’s in the right mindset,” veteran guard CJ McCollum said after the team’s Thursday win over the Wizards. “He’s got the right approach. He’s a pro. He’s been around arguably the greatest shooter to ever touch a basketball. So he’s got good work ethic.
“He comes from a good culture in Golden State, where he understands how to play team basketball. He understands what’s necessary to win a championship, and he works hard. Obviously, you see the talent, the athleticism.
“Outside of just figuring out ways for us to grow together and continue to have a good team, there’s been no discussions around the trade or his past or anything like that. That’s behind us and now he’s moving forward, and I think he’s doing a great job.”
Kuminga’s hustle has given the Hawks a boost in extending plays or getting them extra possessions. It has allowed the Hawks to have the NBA’s most productive second units over the past three games, with an average of 61 bench points per game.
The addition of Kuminga to the rotation came at the perfect time, too, following the elevation of McCollum to the starting unit.
With Kuminga on the floor, the Hawks rank first in the NBA in bench rebounding, third in steals and among the top 10 second units in field-goal percentage.
He’s been active in getting after loose balls while also making life difficult at the point of attack for opposing ball handlers.
The Hawks are giving up 18.3 points fewer per 100 possessions with Kuminga on the floor versus when he is off, according to Cleaning the Glass.
“I try not to think about it,” Kuminga said of the nerves he felt in his Hawks debut. I try to just go out there, and I got confidence from my teammates.
“They told me not to worry about anything. Just go out there and be you, everything would fall through. So, I just had so many people in my ear telling me, ‘Just go be you. Go play basketball.’ The first two minutes, I was just thinking about it. But after that, everything was cool.”
And “cool” everything was for Kuminga, who already has racked up several highlight dunks that have brought the spotlight to his team.
The Hawks have 20 games remaining in their schedule. So, they’ll have plenty of time to get a better sense of how Kuminga could be a fit for them long term.
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