Hawks confirm delayed debut for newly acquired forward
The Atlanta Hawks confirmed that forward Jonathan Kuminga will remain sidelined for at least another week as he continues recovering from a knee injury sustained before his trade from the Golden State Warriors.
Kuminga suffered a left knee bone bruise and hyperextension during a January matchup in Dallas and has yet to make his debut with Atlanta since arriving at the trade deadline.
The team stated that Kuminga is progressing through rehabilitation and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.
Return timeline remains uncertain
While the update signals positive progress, the re-evaluation does not guarantee an immediate return. The Hawks are expected to monitor multiple recovery benchmarks before clearing Kuminga for game action.
The injury adds to a season in which Kuminga’s playing time was already inconsistent in Golden State due to rotational changes and fluctuating role clarity.
The Hawks say newly acquired Jonathan Kuminga (knee) will be sidelined for at least one more week: pic.twitter.com/yOz6gh60Vd
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 18, 2026
Potential rotational impact once healthy
When available, Kuminga is expected to provide athletic versatility and defensive energy to Atlanta’s rotation — traits that made him an intriguing acquisition despite his uneven usage with the Warriors.
The Hawks could initially ease him into a complementary role behind Jalen Johnson, though lineup flexibility may allow both forwards to share the floor depending on matchup needs.
Long-term evaluation ahead
Atlanta also faces a decision on Kuminga’s future beyond this season, with his performance during the final stretch potentially influencing whether the organization exercises his team option.
For now, the priority remains ensuring full recovery before introducing the young forward into meaningful minutes.
