Warriors Notes: Jonathan Kuminga, Steve Kerr, Draymond Green, De’Anthony Melton

The Warriors thought they were getting Jonathan Kuminga back Friday. Instead, they got another question mark.

Kuminga was expected to return after missing more than two weeks, but low back soreness popped up before the loss to the Thunder and kept him out despite being listed as active. Coach Steve Kerr said the issue surfaced shortly before tipoff and it’s unclear whether it will linger, per Nick Friedell of The Athletic.

Given the timing, it’s increasingly possible Kuminga won’t see game action again before he becomes trade-eligible on January 15.

Clearing the Air

Kerr also revisited his heated sideline exchange last week with Draymond Green, calling it a misunderstanding that escalated in the moment.

“Draymond was talking to the refs, and I had called a timeout because I thought we lost our focus,” Kerr said on The Tom Tolbert Show, via NBC Bay Area. Kerr explained that Green believed he was being yelled at for a turnover, leading to a brief but visible confrontation.

Kerr took responsibility for not defusing the situation sooner.

“I needed to be the calming force,” he said. “I regretted not being the calming one in that conversation.”

Green went to the locker room and didn’t return that night, but both sides downplayed the incident afterward. Kerr later said the matter had been resolved, and Green has resumed his usual role since.

Managing the Schedule

After Friday’s blowout loss to Oklahoma City, Kerr said Green will return Saturday against Utah. He’s also hopeful Stephen Curry will be available after missing time with an ankle issue. Jimmy Butler remains day-to-day with an illness, though the team doesn’t expect a prolonged absence.

Monte Poole of NBC Bay Area noted the Warriors effectively prioritized rest Friday rather than pushing veterans in a difficult matchup.

“When you have an older team, you have to navigate it,” Kerr said. “We’re trying to do that.”

Melton on Last Season

Veteran guard De’Anthony Melton also addressed his midseason trade last year following an ACL tear, telling NBC Sports Bay Area he understood the decision.

“Honestly, I would trade me, too,” Melton said, explaining that his contract and injury made the move logical. He credited Kerr and general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. for being transparent throughout the process.

The Warriors’ priorities right now are to manage health, manage personalities, and manage time. The rest will have to sort itself out.