In today’s Dub Hub:
- Warriors’ veteran leaders Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler maintain that Jonathan Kuminga’s trade demand won’t be a distraction.
- Steph Curry played through a quad contusion during Thursday’s 126-113 win vs. Knicks, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater.
- Klay Thompson passes Damian Lillard for fourth on NBA’s all-time three-pointers list.
Despite the Golden State Warriors taking care of business with a 126–113 home win over the New York Knicks on Thursday night, the conversation around the team centered elsewhere. Earlier that day, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Jonathan Kuminga had officially demanded out of Golden State on the first day he became trade eligible.
It’s the type of news that can linger over a locker room — but the Warriors made it clear it won’t.
Veteran leaders Stephen Curry and Draymond Green both dismissed the idea that Kuminga’s situation would become a distraction, stressing that the team remains focused on winning.
That same message was echoed by Jimmy Butler, who has served as a mentor to Kuminga since his arrival in Golden State. Butler reiterated that the locker room continues to support Kuminga and ultimately wants what’s best for him moving forward.
To the Warriors’ credit, the situation hasn’t had a negative impact on the court. Golden State is 7–3 over its last 10 games and now sits four games above .500 for the first time all season. As long as the wins keep coming, the message inside the locker room aligns with the results — at least for now, this isn’t a distraction.
For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, January 16th:
Warriors News:
Warriors prove Kuminga ‘not a distraction’ in win over Knicks | ESPN
Kuminga and Warriors coach Steve Kerr talked after shootaround on Thursday morning. Kerr said he preferred to keep the conversation private, but acknowledged the entire ordeal is a “difficult situation” for everyone involved.
How Warriors’ Jimmy Butler resurrected the art of earning free throws: ‘You will foul me now’ | San Francisco Chronicle
Also notable here: Butler, unlike Doncic, rarely complains to the officials about a call or non-call. That habit reminds Kerr of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, fierce competitors who were determined not to constantly chirp at the refs.
“Jimmy is the same way — he never wants to show weakness,” Kerr said. “It’s a quality I absolutely love. That’s so powerful and productive for a team.”
So is Butler standing stoically at the free-throw line, having earned a whistle to silence his opponent.
Steph Curry played through a quad contusion vs. Knicks
NBA News:
As Klay Thompson moves into 4th on 3s made list, his love for the game keeps him going | The Athletic
“I love shooting the basketball,” Thompson said. “I was very lucky to grow up with a hoop in my driveway. A really nice one. Breakaway rim. Big backboard. It was always my source of joy and form of escapism for me to get away from school work or whatever chores I had that day. It was like my favorite hobby to just go hear the net swish.
“The fact that it’s amounted to this is incredible and inspires me to keep going. I have many years left. But it’s truly just because I love shooting the basketball so much. It’s always been my favorite thing to do.”
Magic’s Anthony Black throws down potential dunk of the year vs. Grizzlies
In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:
Warriors vs. Knicks player grades: Jimmy Butler III and Steph Curry take over as the bench shines
Brandin Podziemski
26 minutes, 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 8-for-9 shooting, 2-for-3 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 96.2% TS, +22
Podziemski was, to quote Mark Jones, deep in his bag like the fries were at the bottom. Hook shots. Floaters. Off-balance rain collectors. Threes. Podziemski looked like he was playing a game of HORSE on the Chase Center court, and he was winning handily. And he did all of that while also making all the little plays that contribute to winning.
The three turnovers were a bit much but, like Moody, that’s picking nits when everything else was so flawless.
Grade: A+
Post-game bonus: Best plus/minus on the team.
A post to end the week:
Follow @unstoppablebaby on X for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.
