SAN FRANCISCO – During timeouts in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s game against the Houston Rockets, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green pleaded with Jonathan Kuminga several times to get the ball.

Kuminga did just that in monumental fashion.

The No. 7 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Kuminga scored 14 of his career-high 33 points in the fourth quarter, including a game-winning layup with 16.9 seconds left, helping the Warriors to a 99-93 victory over the Rockets.

“They trusted me and that helped me gain confidence,” Kuminga said. “I took a deep breath and just went out there and took care of the ball.”

Kuminga was brilliant in the fourth quarter. He continually made good on his patented powerful attacks, connecting with the Middys at eye level and providing an assist in the final 12 minutes.

Essentially, Kuminga took on the role of closer while Golden State’s most popular closers – Curry and Green – watched and cheered from the bench.

“He showed he could do it,” Warriors center Kevon Looney said. “He’s shown that he can score, get to the rim and get to the foul line when we need him. That will be part of our development as a team, he will improve and (Andrew Wiggins) will continue to develop to be able to score for us in the fourth quarter and not have to depend on Steph the whole time.”

Houston entered the evening with the second-best record in the Western Conference, while the Warriors were on a five-game losing streak.

With Curry and Green injured and unable to play, the Warriors were missing their two best players in the crucial phase.

Passes that would normally go to these two players ended up in Kuminga’s hands and he delivered first class.

“A good lesson,” Kuminga said. “Of course we go to Steph’s most of the time. Just have the experience of knowing what to do out there at all times, even if Steph comes back and Draymond comes back. You never know when moments like this will happen.”

For a good portion of the season, the Warriors struggled to close out games, and for a few moments it looked like the Rockets would add another disappointing chapter when they blew a seven-point lead to 77 early in the fourth quarter -76 recorded.

At this point, Kuminga began his lightning attack, but it wasn’t until the last minute that he really shined.

After Houston got within 96-93 in the final minute, Warriors coach Steve Kerr called a timeout and set up a play for Kuminga.

Career high 33 for JK 😮‍💨

pic.twitter.com/ipW1G2Za9m

– Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) December 6, 2024

Kuminga got the ball again and attacked, shooting right between Rockets defenders Fred Van Vleet and Dillon Brooks and scoring.

“He had a great night and it was a no-brainer to get him the ball,” Kerr said. “JK just made the play. He got a couple of ghost screens, one from Buddy (Hield), one from Brandin (Podziemski), just to try and confuse the switch a little. JK simply attacked and that was the motto.

“It was just a wonderful ride and the culmination of a phenomenal night for him. He was brilliant.”

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