The Golden State Warriors are riding a hot streak since the arrival of Jimmy Butler. The team has won 12 of their last 15 games, including six straight victories. In the midst of their strong run, the Warriors welcomed back a key player, Jonathan Kuminga, and Draymond Green didn’t hold back in explaining why the young forward is vital for their success.

Kuminga had been sidelined with a sprained ankle since January 4 but made his return during the Warriors’ dominant 130-104 win over the Sacramento Kings. The 22-year-old forward delivered an impressive performance, finishing as the team’s second-leading scorer with 18 points, while also adding three rebounds and one assist.

After the game, Green spoke at a press conference about Kuminga’s importance to the team. “Very necessary, because you need that athleticism, you need that force that he plays with,” Green said.

Green also highlighted the forward’s ability to rise to the occasion when the game becomes more physical. “The game is going to get more and more physical as we get down the stretch and into the playoffs, and he can match that physicality,” Green added. “He also can get downhill and use people’s physicality and pressure against them”.

The team needs Kuminga, says Green

Despite the Warriors’ impressive form while Kuminga was out, Green made it clear that the team still relies heavily on the young forward to maintain their high level of play.

“We’ve been in a groove. But I don’t think there’s a soul in this building that thought just because we’re in that groove we don’t need [Jonathan Kuminga] back,” Green said. “We needed him back in a major way. It’s good to see him come back and have a good game and kind of put all the questions to bed”.

Green also praised Kuminga’s ability to stick to his own style of play, regardless of the team’s momentum. “It’s one game, nobody is overreacting to it, but it is exactly what we thought. He comes in and just plays JK’s game,” Green noted.

“Don’t come in and try to fit in or ‘Oh man I need to do this because the team is rolling.’ Nobody cares, just come in and be JK and get downhill, get to the rim. On the defensive end, bring that intensity,” he added. “We need him to come in and be the stud that he is regardless of who’s here. We still need JK to be JK”.

Jimmy Butler on Kuminga’s impact

Warriors star Jimmy Butler also weighed in on Kuminga’s return, praising the young forward’s athleticism and energy. Butler expressed confidence that Kuminga’s presence will help the team achieve something special this season.

“I love that my man’s came out there aggressive, putting the ball in the basket, high energy, jumping out of the gym and dunking the basketball,” Butler said. “I want him to be him at the best of his abilities, continually be great to help this squad achieve something special”.