Warriors rejoin spacing revolution they started as 2025-26 NBA season begins

Jimmy Butler, in his first postgame comments after the Warriors’ season-opening win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night, spoke about Jonathan Kuminga like a proud father.But even the proudest of fathers continue to push their children, as Butler has done with his mentee Kuminga as the 23-year-old forward aims for NBA stardom.“I just want to help JK be great,” Butler said. “He’s got so much raw talent. He’s so aggressive. He’s so athletic. He’s super smart. I’m trying to teach him a little bit of what I see thorughout the game. We’ve been kicking it, hanging out, watching film and working on our game together after practice, before practice, during practice.“I know how great he wants to be and how great he can be, so it’s now my job to help him fulfill that.”So far, so good.Kuminga, in his first game with the Warriors since agreeing to a two-year, $48.5 million extension late last month to conclude a lengthy contract standoff with the organization, showed why he continues to bet on himself.The fourth-year wing had an impressive season debut under the bright Hollywood lights, finishing...