Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh say he's excited about the opportunity to play on 'a world stage'

SAO PAULO (AP) — Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said Wednesday he wasn't thinking of the challenges of starting the season in Brazil when he learned Los Angeles would be making the long trip to face the Kansas City Chiefs here as the home team.

“I was excited about it. We are at a world stage, it is the only game on Friday night,” Harbaugh said before the Chargers held practice at the training ground used by the soccer club Corinthians, which owns the stadium where the Chargers will play. “There’s an honor there to be selected to play this game."

“The hospitality is amazing. We just got here this morning, but already at the airport and everywhere we’ve gone, we’ve been made to feel welcome," the coach added. "That motivates us, even on top of the game, which is so big.”

Harbaugh also said running back Najee Harris, who suffered a superficial eye injury during a fireworks mishap on July 4, is “ready to go” for the game against the Chiefs. The 27-year-old signed with the Chargers this offseason as a free agent.

Quarterback Justin Herbert, who is making his first trip to South America, agreed the trip is a boost for the Chargers. He said that early on the team “understood that we’re going to lose some time to traveling, but as long as we’re on the film, practicing.”

“I only heard good things about the place (Brazil),” Herbert said. “I’ve heard it is going to be really loud, fans are really passionate."

"I love to travel, this is my first time in South America. I think it’s been really cool so far. We got in pretty early this morning. To be able to come see the place, experience the culture and get a feel for it, I’m really excited for it,” the quarterback added.

Sao Paulo is hosting only its second NFL game, one of a record-high seven international league games this season, including the first-ever stops in Berlin, Dublin and Madrid.

Safety Derwin James Jr. said the Chargers need to focus on “one play at the time, and don’t worry about the full game” to end their streak of seven consecutive defeats against the Chiefs. He is also excited to play for the Brazilian audience of about 47,000 fans on Friday.

Last year, before the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers in Sao Paulo, fans and some players complained about the long trip and the possible risk of violence in the Brazilian metropolis. Many left the country excited after enjoying the raucous atmosphere at NeoQuimica Arena.

On social media, Brazilian support seems to lean toward star quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, who have won seven straight against the Chargers.

Corinthians midfielder Raniele, who watched the Chargers practice, said he doesn't support any NFL team, but will attend to see the three-time Super Bowl winner.

“He is amazing, everyone here wants to see him in person,” Raniele said. “The winner of this match will be whoever gets the chance to see it live.”

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman smiles during a training session prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert looks to throw the ball during a training session prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert speaks during a news conference prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh speaks during a news conference prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley (0) linebacker Khalil Mack (52) and safety Derwin James Jr. joke with the press during a news conference prior to an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Sao Paulo, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Coach Steve Kerr spoke with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga during the morning shootaround Thursday about the player's situation being out of the rotation for more than a month now with expectations he will be traded before the deadline next month.

“We talked this morning and that’s all private,” Kerr said. “I will keep coaching him, he’ll be part of the team, he’ll be here. It is what it is.”

Kerr discounted any issues between them as being reason Kuminga has reportedly requested a trade from the team after not being used in the last 14 games since Dec. 18 and 17 of 18 — though he has been listed as injured for nine games this season.

“Our relationship is fine,” Kerr said before Golden State's 126-113 win over the New York Knicks. “There's not a whole lot I can say about the other stuff. It is what it is, difficult situation for everybody and part of this league, part of the job. We just keep moving forward.”

Kuminga has been training much of the time on his own, shooting on the Warriors’ practice floor out of the eyes of fans at Chase Center. He wears a black hood over his head on the end of the bench during games. Perhaps Kuminga and the Warriors weren't a great fit from Day 1 — not that it's his fault — and he might be eager to leave and start fresh elsewhere. If so, the Golden State brass might want to make sure he doesn't get hurt before trying to trade him.

Yet nobody has taken issue with his work ethic, at least not publicly. Kuminga, selected seventh overall in the 2021 draft, has been known to stay long after games shooting on the arena's main floor.

“It’s not a distraction at all. It’s a very unique situation but our job is just to keep playing, keep winning, it’ll resolve itself one way or the other,” Stephen Curry said.

The 23-year-old from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has appeared in just 18 games total with 13 starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists.

On Sept. 30, he agreed to a two-year contract that could be worth up to $46.5 million if the team were to exercise its option for 2026-27. Kuminga had had a $7.9 million qualifying offer in hand since June 29 but was also weighing other options and he missed media day.

He has long had the support and confidence of teammates — like Jimmy Butler saying he has been having Kuminga over and continuing to encourage him.

“We love JK in this locker room, that's not going to change,” Butler said postgame. “If he happens to not be in here, we'll still rock with JK. I speak for everybody. We love the guy. I wish him the best here, I wish him the best wherever. It doesn't change. We don't listen to the noise, I hope he don't listen to the noise he keep coming here with a smile doing what he's supposed to do and being the ultimate pro.”

Kuminga missed much of last season with a right ankle injury. He averaged 15.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 24.3 minutes over 47 games with 10 starts. He also scored 15.3 points per game over eight playoff games while shooting 48.4% from the floor and making 40% of his 3-point attempts. That included a career-best 30-point performance in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Kerr said the uncertainty around Kuminga's future “won't be a distraction.”

“Jonathan's a great young guy, his teammates like him,” Kerr said. "He's handling himself well.”

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga, middle, sits near the team bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (1) and Utah Jazz center Oscar Tshiebwe (34) swap jerseys after the Warriors defeat the Jazz during an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Justine Willard)