How Jonathan Kuminga is playing ‘perfect role’ for Timberwolves

Thomas Shea/Imagn Images By Jace Frederick / St. Paul Pioneer Press Today at 12:00 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? The Minnesota Timberwolves led the Houston Rockets by two points in the final three minutes on Wednesday night in Houston. Ayo Dosunmu swung to the corner to Jonathan Kuminga, who had a split second to fire an open corner triple. ADVERTISEMENT Splash. On the Wolves’ ensuing possession, it was Dosunmu’s turn to try an open attempt from the corner. His try rattled off the iron, but Rudy Gobert got his paw on the ball to bat it up at the rim. Then Kuminga got another crack at it, and he tipped the ball in to extend Minnesota’s lead to seven. The advantage was five with Houston racing down the floor in transition when Kuminga sprinted back to the paint, then charged out to close out on an open Kevin Durant, forcing a turnover. On the other end, Kuminga nailed another triple to push the lead to eight and effectively put the game on ice. LaMelo Ball was the star of the fourth quarter with his on-ball dominance. Dosunmu shouldered much of the offensive load for the first three frames. But Kuminga, in ways quiet and loud, was again a linchpin for Minnesota’s success on a night where he tallied 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists. “He just continues to play the perfect role,” Wolves coach Chris Finch said this week. “He’s just kind of doing everything that we need to do, and a lot of it in a timely manner. We’d be lost without him right now.” MORE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES COVERAGE: Pro Ball, Dosunmu propel Timberwolves past Rockets Kuminga powered a fourth-quarter run that propelled Minnesota to victory 1d ago · By Field Level Media Pro LaMelo Ball’s foul trouble isn’t unique to his Timberwolves’ tenure Ball leads the NBA this season in fouls per game 2d ago · By Jace Frederick / St. Paul Pioneer Press Pro LaMelo Ball leads Timberwolves over struggling Bucks Minnesota outscored Milwaukee 32-24 in the fourth quarter to seal the victory 3d ago · By Field Level Media Pro Victor Wembanyama (43 points), Spurs handle short-handed Wolves Victor Wembanyama poured in a season-high 43 points to help the host San Antonio Spurs defeat the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves 121-111 on Saturday for their fourth straight victory. 5d ago · By Field Level Media Pro LaMelo Ball puts up 24 as Timberwolves race past slumping Clippers LaMelo Ball scored 24 points and dished seven assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away for a 127-101 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday in Minneapolis. 6d ago · By Field Level Media Pro Wolves fall in first game without Anthony Edwards Jonathan Kuminga led Minnesota in scoring with 20 points Oct 28 · By Field Level Media Pro Why is Anthony Edwards having his injury fixed now? 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They’re the hyper-productive glue guys who complete the team puzzle. That’s what Minnesota asked Kuminga to do upon his signing in August. “We knew he needed to be our dirty work guy — run the floor, get rebounds, guard at a high level,” Finch said. “Just be some connective tissue out there doing all the things he can do with his physicality and his athleticism.” To date, opponents are shooting just 38% from the field when guarded by the forward, a gaudy figure by any measure, but especially when considering he’s drawing difficult defensive assignments. He leads the team in blocked shots with nine and is fourth in rebounding at 5.7 per game. “We have so many people that can put the ball in the hoop. The rest of the jobs — rebounding, playing hard, defending — it’s right there, why not do it?” Kuminga told reporters Wednesday. “I’m just out there to … be around those guys and make their lives easier.” Offensively, Kuminga’s usage percentage is just 16.1%, which ranks seventh on the team. But he’s making the most of the touches and shots he does get. He’s tied for 10th in the NBA in 3-point shooting accuracy (46.3%) and is tied for second in the league at corner triple marksmanship, knocking down 13 of those 26 attempts. “He’s really shooting the lights out for us right now,” Finch said, “because he’s getting good shots within the flow of the offense with his feet set, and they all feel like they’re going to go in.” Text Example ____________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here. Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? 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