Jonathan Kuminga's first preseason action for the Minnesota Timberwolves ended in a difficult 123-112 loss to the Indiana Pacers on October 7. The high-profile free agent signing managed only two points, shooting 1-for-9 from the field in 19 minutes of play. He added one rebound and three assists but finished as the only starter with a negative plus-minus (-7). This performance came just days after the Wolves opened their preseason schedule with a 116-97 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on October 5.
The Timberwolves couldn't contain the Pacers' offense in the second preseason contest. While the final score was 123-112, the focus post-game shifted squarely to Kuminga's quiet night. His shooting struggles were evident, missing all three attempts from beyond the arc. The social media reaction was swift and pointed. One popular account, BrickCenter, posted, "Jonathan Kuminga WENT OFF tonight 🔥 🧱 2 PTS 🧱 1 REB 🧱 1-9 FG 🧱 0-3 3P Lakers dodged a bullet 😭." This referenced Kuminga's offseason decision to turn down more guaranteed money from Los Angeles for a shorter deal in Minnesota.
Kuminga's situation carries weight because of the contract he chose. He accepted a two-year deal with a player option, betting on himself to earn a bigger payday next summer. A slow start draws extra scrutiny. The Timberwolves' roster construction also makes his role important. They lack proven depth at the power forward spot, so Kuminga's size and athleticism are needed for defense and rebounding. The team has other scorers like LaMelo Ball, who had 14 points and seven assists against Indiana, to carry the offensive load on some nights. But if Kuminga's shooting woes continue and his defense slips, it creates a problem without an easy internal solution.
The immediate focus shifts to the next preseason fixture, an away game against the Miami Heat on October 10. It's another chance for Kuminga to find his rhythm and integrate with the core players. Preseason results aren't recorded in the standings, but individual performances set tones. The Wolves will need him to be a reliable defender who can switch onto multiple positions. His ability to impact games without scoring will be tested early. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full preseason schedule on our schedule page. For Minnesota, the hope is that this single poor outing is just a blip as they build towards the regular season.
