Jonathan Kuminga’s rise, Buddy Hield’s role, and the confirmed Warriors & Lakers starting lineups

The Bay Area’s Opening Week delivered clarity on rotations and a fresh snapshot of Jonathan Kuminga’s growth curve. With both teams unveiling first fives and early usage patterns, here’s where things stand for the Warriors, the Lakers, and how Steve Kerr is threading minutes around veterans and new faces—including Buddy Hield.

Warriors starting lineup: Kuminga locks in as a first-five staple

Golden State opened the season with a small, switchable group built around pace and two-way pressure:

Warriors starters: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Jonathan Kuminga, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green.
Primary bench big: Al Horford (minutes managed, targeted for late-game leverage rather than heavy early stints).

The choice says a lot about identity. Kerr is prioritizing five-out spacing, multi-positional defense, and downhill rim pressure from the forward spots. With Moses Moody nursing a calf issue, Kuminga’s spot wasn’t just next-man-up—it was a vote of confidence that his downhill attacks and improved reads now start games rather than merely change them.

Jonathan Kuminga stats and early usage

Through the opener, Kuminga’s line reads like a well-rounded starter: ~17 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists on mid-50s FG%. More important than the raw totals were the touches: quick-hit cuts off Curry gravity, slot drives against tilted help, and a steadier skip pass when the low man committed. Defensively, he toggled between bigger wings and primary actions, letting Green quarterback the back line.

What’s new in his game

• Decisive first step: Fewer jab-step stalls; more catch-and-go.

• Playmaking progress: Kickouts are on time, especially to the weak-side slot shooter.

• Stamina for longer bursts: Kerr trusted him across both halves rather than siloing minutes to second quarters.

Buddy Hield’s role: green light, situational starts, and spacing insurance

Hield’s preseason cameos with the first unit were a tell: he’s the designated spacing engine when the Warriors lean offense. With Horford on a minutes plan and Moody sidelined, Hield functions as the “break-glass-for-threes” option—he can start in spot situations, but the base plan is instant offense off the bench.

How the staff uses him

• Two-man actions with Curry: Staggered screens and flare exchanges that dare defenses to choose wrong.

• Handoff hub with Butler: Hield as the lift shooter while Butler drives crowds, creating clean above-the-break looks.

• Matchup-dependent closing: If opponents pack the paint on Wembanyama-sized fronts later this season, Hield’s gravity keeps the lane open for Kuminga and Butler.

Steve Kerr’s calculus: minutes management without losing rhythm

Kerr has been blunt about two priorities: preserve veteran legs and maintain continuity. That’s why Horford comes off the bench (roughly 20–24 minutes in normal scripts) and why closing groups—more than opening groups—are the real tell. Expect frequent offense-defense toggles late, with Hield or Podziemski in for shooting, and Horford/Green setting the coverage menu on the other end.

Rotation themes to track

• 8–9 man core, tightened in clutch time.

• Early second-unit runway for Hield to pile attempts before defenses settle.

• Kuminga + bench minutes where he’s the featured driver with shooters fanned wide.

Lakers starting lineup: a smaller backcourt, big at the rim

Opening Night confirmed a guard-heavy look around a traditional anchor:

Lakers starters: Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Rui Hachimura, Deandre Ayton.

The group sacrifices some length on the perimeter to supercharge creation and shooting around Dončić. Vincent’s inclusion signals a premium on point-of-attack defense versus elite guards and a willingness to live smaller to keep spacing intact. With Ayton as the vertical and mid-post release valve, the Lakers aim to win with shot creation, pick-and-roll variety, and offensive glass from Rui’s cuts.

Why the matchup with Golden State is chessy

• Guard screens vs. switches: The Lakers try to pry favorable matchups onto Dončić; the Warriors counter with early switches and scram help.

• Stretch vs. size: Golden State’s five-out pockets challenge Ayton in space; Lakers punish the glass when the Warriors play small.

What it means for the Warriors–Lakers rivalry right now

• Kuminga as a lever: His ability to finish through contact—and now to make the extra pass—forces the Lakers to tag more aggressively, which opens corner threes for Podziemski/Hield.

• Dončić tempo control: If the Lakers slow possessions, Golden State must generate early-clock looks via drag screens and hit-ahead passes to avoid grinding in the half court.

• Closing time identities: Expect the Warriors to finish with Curry–Butler–Kuminga–Green plus one shooter (Podziemski or Hield), while the Lakers close with their core four and a defense-oriented fifth based on matchups.

Quick hitters for fans tracking box scores

• Kuminga stat watch: Efficiency on two-point attempts and assist-to-turnover ratio will tell you whether his leap is sustainable.

• Hield meter: 3PA rate > volume matters; if he’s letting it fly, the second unit hums.

• Kerr’s minute map: Horford’s total and when they’re deployed (start of fourth vs. mid-second) reveal the night’s plan.

Bottom line: Jonathan Kuminga looks firmly embedded as a starting forward, Buddy Hield is the swing piece for shooting-heavy lineups, and both the Warriors and Lakers have declared who they want to be from the opening tip. Now the season will test whether those identities hold when the schedule tightens and scouting reports sharpen.