Jonathan Cuminga’s explosive debut with the Hawks

We wonder when he last appeared on the floor with such a smile. Tonight against the Wizards, Jonathan Cumminga made his debut with his new team, the Hawks. With a dazzling first image: that of a player filled with the idea of ​​returning to the competition and writing a new page in his career after a perfect divorce with the Warriors.

« I feel good. It’s a new team. If only I had these coaches and these teammates who believed in me… They supported me throughout my rehab to get to this point. I wouldn’t be here without them. That’s why I thank them for being with me every day, and I’m really happy to be here », says the 23-year-old.

This enthusiasm was felt as soon as he entered the game, materialized by the first basket scored in the transition to the “euro-step”. in the process Zachary Risacher (9 points on 4/11 shooting and 9 rebounds), who, like him, came off the bench, forced him into a counterattack for the first authoritarian dunk.

« My teammates gave me confidence. They told me not to worry about anything: ‘Go ahead, be yourself. Everything will fall into place. I’ve had so many people whisper in my ear, ‘Be yourself. Just play. It’s basketball. I was thinking too much about it for the first two minutes. But after that everything went well », the Congolese said.

“I know he was hungry for the game”

That’s how Jonathan Cuminga showed his “slasher” qualities and his athletic ability to cut through the opponent’s racket like he did with the Warriors. Aggressiveness of players deprived of parquet for a month.

« I found him really focused and I know he was hungry for the game. I think he is glad to be able to contribute to this team. I don’t want to put him in a position where expectations suddenly become unrealistic. He’s obviously a talented player, but the most important thing for him is to do what he did tonight: let him play his game », appreciates Quin Snyder.

The latter mobilized him in 24 minutes with a good return on investment: 27 points (9/12 on shots including 3/4 on 3 points), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals, with a +16 on the score when he was in the game. In a match that turned into complete discomfort for the Wizards who were very complacent in defense.

Should we still see it as a message sent to the other end of the country, from the side? Warriors who, on the same evening, were beaten by the Pelicans ? « Everyone has their own opinion. I really don’t pay attention to what other people say. We are trying to win as many games as possible here. That is my main goal », he finally broke away.

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How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.