Jonathan Kuminga targets Saturday return after knee soreness

After scrimmaging with the Warriors’ G League affiliate on Wednesday, forward Jonathan Kuminga told Anthony Slater of ESPN that he’s aiming to return on Saturday when Golden State faces the Pelicans.

Kuminga has missed seven straight games with bilateral knee tendonitis. Although the injury was initially described as minor and he was labeled day-to-day, lingering soreness kept him out for more than two weeks.

Before going down, Kuminga started the Warriors’ first 12 games and impressed early in October, earning a public endorsement from Steve Kerr, who said the fifth-year forward had secured a permanent spot in the starting lineup.

But with the team struggling and his play dipping in early November, the player came off the bench in his most recent appearance on November 12 in San Antonio.

What his role will be upon returning is unclear, but the Warriors badly need scoring help. Stephen Curry left Wednesday’s loss to Houston with a quad contusion and may miss time as well.

Even with Curry healthy, Golden State’s offense has lagged.