Warriors rookie Jonathan Kuminga out with a strained right patella tendon

The Golden State Warriors announced on Thursday that rookie forward Jonathan Kuminga will be out with a strained patella tendon in his right knee for at least one week. Kuminga left the Warriors preseason game against the Denver Nuggets early in the fourth quarter after tweaking his knee.

The Warriors drafted Kuminga with the seventh overall pick in this year’s draft after he foregoed college basketball to play with the NBA’s G-League Ignite. In 13 games with the Ignite, Kuminga averaged 15.8 points. 7.2 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game on .387/.246/.625 shooting. In the Warriors two preseason games, Kuminga has recorded eight points, four rebounds, and one assist in just over 17 minutes of action.

Kuminga is a significant part of the Warriors’ future. One of the youngest players in the NBA (he turned 19 yesterday), though, Kuminga is unlikely to receive extended playing time with the team during the regular season. Still, the organization hopes he can continue developing in practice and with their G-League affiliate.

Patella injuries are a common occurrence in the NBA. While torn patella tendons often require season-ending surgery, mild strains have rarely held players out for more than two weeks of action. The Warriors will obviously be cautious with Kuminga but are probably relieved he avoided a more severe injury.