Former disgruntled Warriors’ star has thrived in Atlanta since a February commerce, and this spotlight has drawn comparisons to among the most explosive dunks of the playoffs.
Jonathan Kuminga delivered some of the memorable highlights of the 2026 NBA Playoffs final evening (April 28). In Sport 5 of the Japanese Convention first-round sequence between the Atlanta Hawks and New York Knicks, Kuminga threw down a two-handed alley-oop dunk over two Knicks defenders at Madison Sq. Backyard. The 13-second clip, posted by @TheHoopCentral, has already amassed over 1.3 million views.
Gabe Vincent lobbed the ball excessive towards the rim. Kuminga lower from the left facet of the important thing, elevated above the basket, caught the ball with each palms, and slammed it by the online together with his proper hand. Josh Hart and one other Knicks defender jumped to contest, however neither may attain Kuminga’s top. The rim flexed on impression, and the group reacted with open mouths and raised palms.
Kuminga landed and raised his arm whereas retreating downcourt.
The Alley-Oop That Silenced Madison Sq. Backyard
The play unfolded within the third quarter with the Knicks main by a considerable margin. Kuminga ran a baseline lower as Vincent surveyed the protection. Vincent delivered a high-arcing lob from the perimeter, and Kuminga elevated from the restricted space. He caught the ball at its peak and threw down a thunderous dunk by the rim.
Hart and the second defender tried to dam the shot however couldn’t match Kuminga’s vertical leap. Each gamers landed beneath him because the ball handed by the online. The rim bent noticeably downward from the drive of the dunk. Courtside spectators, together with actor Timothée Chalamet, stood and reacted instantly.
The Knicks led 83-65 on the time of the dunk. Kuminga completed the sport with simply 4 factors on 4-of-10 taking pictures, however the spotlight overshadowed his general field rating. The dunk was his solely made area objective of the evening.
Kuminga’s Profession Revival Since Commerce to Atlanta
The Hawks acquired Kuminga from the Golden State Warriors in February 2026 in trade for Kristaps Porzingis. In Golden State, Kuminga usually performed restricted minutes beneath head coach Steve Kerr. Since arriving in Atlanta, he has obtained expanded taking part in time and an outlined position off the bench beneath coach Quin Snyder.
Within the first spherical sequence towards the Knicks, Kuminga is averaging 12.4 factors per sport. He scored 19 factors in Sport 2 and 21 factors in Sport 3, each Hawks victories. In wins, he has shot 62 p.c from the sector. In losses, his manufacturing has dropped, together with a 4-point outing in Sport 5.
Throughout the 5 video games performed up to now, Kuminga has recorded a web score that’s the largest on the Hawks roster. Atlanta has outscored opponents by 13 factors per 100 possessions when he’s on the ground in wins and been outscored by 14 factors per 100 possessions in losses.
Followers and Former Warriors Supporters Weigh In on Kuminga’s Viral Second
The dunk has reignited debate about Jonathan Kuminga’s utilization throughout his time in Golden State. A number of X customers identified that he obtained restricted minutes and occasional DNP choices beneath Steve Kerr. One reply acknowledged, “Kerr actually didn’t give him taking part in time.” One other wrote, “That is what occurs whenever you let Kuminga play.”
Warriors followers expressed frustration that the staff traded away a participant with Kuminga’s athleticism for a veteran heart. Some famous that his three-point taking pictures stays inconsistent (4-of-21 from deep within the sequence), however his ending means on the rim has been elite. Kuminga is taking pictures 75 p.c on two-point area objectives by 5 video games.
Hawks followers, in the meantime, celebrated the commerce as a win for Atlanta. One person posted, “Kuminga in Atlanta seems like a unique participant.” Others centered on the peak of his leap, with one reply writing, “He received springs in his sneakers.” One other known as it essentially the most explosive dunk of the playoffs up to now. Knicks supporters acknowledged the issue of the play whereas mentioning the ultimate rating, with one person writing, “Good dunk. Nonetheless misplaced by 30.”
Knicks Lead Sequence 3-2 Regardless of Kuminga’s Spotlight
The Knicks gained Sport 5 by a rating of 126-97, taking a 3-2 sequence lead. Jalen Brunson led New York with 39 factors. Karl-Anthony Cities taunted Kuminga earlier within the sport after scoring on him, which added context to the alley-oop response. Kuminga had been in foul bother and struggled to include Cities defensively.
Sport 6 is scheduled for April 30, 2026, in Atlanta. The Hawks should win to drive a Sport 7. Kuminga’s minutes have fluctuated all through the sequence based mostly on matchups and foul bother. His on-off web score suggests the Hawks are higher when he’s on the ground, however they haven’t been in a position to maintain that benefit in losses.
The alley-oop dunk shall be replayed whatever the sequence consequence. It has already been known as some of the explosive dunks of the 2026 playoffs. For Kuminga, it’s a signature second in his first postseason as a featured participant.
The Dunk’s Affect on Kuminga’s Postseason Popularity
Jonathan Kuminga entered the playoffs with restricted postseason expertise. In Golden State, he was a rotational piece who noticed inconsistent minutes. In Atlanta, he has been a key bench scorer and athletic spark. The alley-oop dunk is his most seen spotlight of the sequence and has been shared throughout a number of platforms.
NBA.com logged the dunk as a part of their official spotlight package deal. The printed cameras captured a number of angles of the catch and end. Kuminga’s response after the play — a raised arm as he backpedaled — was measured, not demonstrative. He didn’t taunt the defenders or the group.
The Hawks acquired Kuminga for his potential, not his polish. He stays an inconsistent shooter from outdoors, and his foul price has restricted his minutes in some video games. However his athleticism has by no means been in query. The dunk towards the Knicks is the type of play that defines a playoff run, even when the run ends within the first spherical.
Conclusion
Jonathan Kuminga rose above two Knicks defenders and threw down a dunk that stopped the sport for a second. The Hawks misplaced by 29 factors. Kuminga scored solely 4. The dunk will outlast the rating.
Warriors followers noticed a participant they imagine was underused. Hawks followers noticed a commerce paying off. Kuminga noticed the rim and took off. The sequence continues, however the spotlight is already locked in.
The playoff arrival of his prime is going on one dunk at a time.
