NBA Notes: Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga, Wizards, Corey Kispert, mock draft

Warriors

Jonathan Kuminga is aiming to return for Saturday’s home game against the Pelicans after scrimmaging with the Santa Cruz Warriors on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Anthony Slater.

It would mark his first appearance since November 12, as bilateral knee tendonitis has kept him out for seven straight games.

The original read on Kuminga’s injury was “day-to-day,” but lingering soreness turned it into a two-week absence.

Before the setback, he opened the season as a starter and even drew a public endorsement from Steve Kerr, who said the fifth-year forward had earned a permanent spot with the first unit.

A dip in production and teamwide struggles pushed Kuminga to the bench in his final game before the injury.

His role when he returns is a fair question, but the Warriors suddenly need scoring and athleticism in a hurry.

Stephen Curry exited Wednesday’s loss to Houston with a quad contusion and is expected to miss at least a week.

Even with Curry available, Golden State has been stuck in the mud offensively. The Warriors sit 22nd in offensive rating at 113.2, and every team below them is at least five games under .500.

Kuminga’s return would help — but how much help depends on his consistency, which has been the biggest swing variable of his young career.

Wizards

Corey Kispert has a fracture on the tip of his right thumb, the Wizards announced.

He’ll be treated “conservatively,” meaning no surgery, with Josh Robbins of The Athletic noting that injuries like this typically take around three weeks to heal.

Kispert suffered the injury in Tuesday’s win over Atlanta, shaking his hand in pain after Nickeil Alexander-Walker swiped at the ball (via NBA.com). He checked out shortly after.

The 26-year-old has started two of 17 games this season and is averaging a career-low 19.9 minutes, but his shot is still true: 8.9 points on 50.5% shooting and 40.3% from three.

With Kispert and rookie Tre Johnson (hip flexor strain) both sidelined, the Wizards are expected to turn to Cam Whitmore and rookie Will Riley for wing minutes, per Robbins.

NBA Draft

Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman has Kansas guard Darryn Peterson at No. 1 in his latest mock draft.

Duke’s Cameron Boozer slides in at No. 2, with BYU’s AJ Dybantsa at No. 3. All three are viewed as elite prospects, though Wasserman notes that Dybantsa’s decision-making and three-point shooting may cause some scouts to lean Peterson or Boozer at the top.

UNC’s Caleb Wilson is fourth. Tennessee’s Nate Ament rounds out the top five.